Fernandes holds his nerve in stoppage time as VAR drama crowns a chaotic Old Trafford contest

Manchester United claimed their first win of the season in the most dramatic fashion, edging Burnley 3-2 thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ injury-time penalty after a prolonged VAR review. In a game that lurched from control to chaos and back again, United twice took the lead and were twice pegged back before their captain settled it at the death.

Josh Cullen’s own goal put United in front before Lyle Foster restored parity. Bryan Mbeumo’s first league goal for his new club appeared to reassert the hosts’ authority, only for Jaidon Anthony to scramble Burnley level again after a goalkeeping error. The finale brought controversy, a four-minute check, and finally catharsis for the home crowd as Fernandes converted from the spot.

From chaos to composure: the decisive moment

The incident that decided it arrived deep into added time. Amad Diallo surged towards the area with Jaidon Anthony in pursuit; the Burnley winger grabbed at Amad’s shirt, contact that began outside the box but continued as the United forward entered it. Referee Sam Barrott initially waved away the appeals, only for VAR Stuart Attwell to recommend a review that turned a frantic finale into a long pause.

After four minutes of replays, explanations and a crowded penalty area to clear, Barrott reversed his decision. Fernandes, who had missed from the spot at Fulham six days earlier, stood over the ball and exhaled before drilling into the bottom corner. Burnley fumed; United erupted. Ruben Amorim, who could not bring himself to watch the kick, finally had the ‘must-win’ he had demanded.

United’s fast start, wastefulness, and an early setback

For all the late drama, United had laid a platform. They began with tempo and aggression, carrying the crowd with them and carving out promising moments without truly stretching the visiting goalkeeper. Their breakthrough owed as much to persistence as to fortune: Casemiro’s header thudded the crossbar and bounced in off the back of Burnley captain Cullen, confirmed by goal-line technology.

Momentum threatened to stall when Matheus Cunha pulled up chasing a long pass, clutching his hamstring and heading straight down the tunnel. Joshua Zirkzee came on and offered a strong focal point, while the introduction of Kobbie Mainoo at half-time allowed Fernandes to push higher. Still, profligacy lingered: Amad had spurned a gilt-edged opening in first-half stoppage time, a miss that invited jeopardy.

Nine frantic minutes that bent the scoreline both ways

Burnley’s response after the interval was swift. Jacob Bruun Larsen arced a superb cross to the near post, where Foster arrived to jab home and flatten Old Trafford’s mood. United hit back almost immediately: Zirkzee’s deft touch released Diogo Dalot, whose pull-back was swept in by Mbeumo for his first league goal since joining. The noise returned; control did not.

Within moments, Foster thought he had another only to be denied by a tight offside. Then United’s familiar frailty resurfaced. A routine deep in front of the Stretford End was not dealt with, Loum Tchaouna’s drive was parried by Altay Bayindir, and Anthony forced the rebound over the line. The equaliser encapsulated United’s goalkeeping unease after a midweek error from Andre Onana at Grimsby and Bayindir’s spill here.

Burnley belief, United concerns, and the bigger picture

Parker’s team had been outplayed for the first half-hour but grew into the contest and were the better side around both of their goals. Cullen led by example despite the harsh optics of an own goal. Hannibal Mejbri fired over a good chance on his return to Old Trafford. Anthony embodied the contradictions of the afternoon, scoring one equaliser and conceding the decisive penalty.

United leave with relief, three points, and unresolved issues. Mbeumo’s integration, Dalot’s incision and Fernandes’ leadership offer encouragement, but set‑piece nerves and goalkeeping errors remain a theme. The win arrives before the international break and a daunting run that includes the Manchester derby; for Amorim, catharsis mixes with caution.