Burnley 0, Manchester United 1
Manchester United were saved from a fourth defeat in a row by a Bruno Fernandes wonder goal at Burnley to beat the Clarets.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Portuguese midfielder was nine yards out but at an acute angle wide to the right of the goal when he saw a lofted ball from Jonny Evans from the centre circle fly over the top of the Burnley defenders and into his path who volleyed it home past James Trafford just before half time for his second goal of the season.
The home side had earlier escaped a rare Evans goal, on his 200th appearance for the club, when VAR intervened yet again to rule out his earlier strike for offside interference by Rasmus Hojlund in front of Trafford.
Evans had been named in the side following another injury blow for United with Lisandro Martinez ruled to with an non-specific injury for the Reds while Hannibal Mejbri played in an attacking midfield role instead of Facundo Pellistri and Scott McTominay returned to the side in place of the rested Christian Eriksen.
But it was their hosts who dominated possession despite lacking a cutting edge and even edged the Reds on shots and corners.
And while both sides had chances it needed a bit of magic from United’s wizard in chief to separate them and send the Reds back up to eighth in the Premier League.
He said: “Team spirit was the key tonight, you saw a team defending with eleven players and being disciplined.
“But it’s about winning. Last week went against us but we answered our critics on the pitch.
“It was a lovely goal and it will give us confidence. But it’s only one win – we have another game on Tuesday. [against Crystal Palace]”
And following his mistake in Munich on Wednesday Ten Hag praised goalkeeper Andre Onana for his part in the win at Burnley.
He added: “He showed personality tonight, calm, composed, and did everything right.”