.png)
6 months ago
36
Old Trafford visitor Usain Bolt would have admired the breakneck pace on show that helped produce 43 goal attempts. Less so the inability to get over the finishing line.
Manchester United made Burnley pay for missed chances by taking the lead through Antony after 80 minutes following a mistake by Clarets midfielder Sander Berge.
Even then, Erik ten Hag’s side couldn’t put the relegation candidates away. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, had a rush of blood with three minutes left and careered into Zeki Amdouni who gratefully converted the resulting penalty.
It was a familiar story for United fans who had seen their side concede late goals to Brentford, Chelsea and Coventry in recent weeks.
They had also vented frustration at ten Hag midway through the second half for his double-substitution midway through the second half.
Antony celebrates his goal to give Manchester United a late advantage against Burnley
The Brazilian gave United a late advantage they couldn't hang on to in a game of 43 shots
Andre Onana handed Burnley a relegation lifeline when he clattered into Zeki Amdouni
When the No 37 shirt belonging to popular teenage midfielder Kobbie Maioo was held up, it was met with a cacophony of boss as the youngster trudged off to be replaced by Scott McTominay.
MATCH FACTS
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana 7; Wan-Bissaka 5.5, Casemiro 6, Maguire 8, Dalot 6; Mainoo 7 (McTominay 65, 6 (Mount 90+2)), Eriksen 6.5; Antony 7, Fernandes 7, Garnacho 7; Hojlund 5.5 (Amad 65, 6)
Subs not used: Bayindir (GK); Amrabat, Forson, Amass, Jackson, Wheatley
Manager: Erik ten Hag
Scorer: Antony 80
Booked: Antony
Burnley (4-4-2): Muric 6.5; Assignon 6, O'Shea 6.5, Esteve 7, Vitinho 6; Odobert 7, Berge 6.5, Cullen 7, Bruun Larsen 6 (Gudmundsson 72); Foster 6.5, Fofana 5.5 (Amdouni 57, 7)
Subs not used: Trafford (GK); Taylor, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Rodriguez, Manuel, Ekdal, Tresor
Manager: Vincent Kompany
Scorer: Amdouni pen 87
Booked: Odobert, Cullen, Esteve
Referee: John Brooks 7
Ten Hag was also aggrieved afterwards. Partly because United’s late penalty claim for handball against Vitinho was rejected despite Aaron wan-Bissaka being punished for a similar offence at Wembley. Mostly because United can not get to full-time without conceding.
‘It shouldn’t happen. It is so unnecessary when we worked so hard,’ he fumed. ‘We were in a winning position and gave it away. We have to look in the mirror.’
Burnley are no longer the cannon fodder of early season and have lost only one in eight. But United would still expect to beat a team in the bottom three.
Injuries meant United had to play Casemiro at centre-half and he was almost exposed after 19 second when David Fofana got goalside direct from kick off fired straight at Onana.
To United’s credit, they responded well. Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen went close while Rasmus Hojlund set up Bruno Fernandes to hit the frame of the goal.
Antony, who has had a troubled season following allegations about his private life, looked in the mood and twice tested Arjanet Muric before playing a pass off his back that the Theatre of Dreams was made for.
The only thing missing for United was a goal but Burnley could have said the same. Onana tipped away a shot by Wilson Odobert and the reflexes needed to keep out Foster’s close-range header was extraordinary.
Up in the stands, United fan Bolt couldn’t complain about the entertainment even though Marcus Rashford was again missing through injury.
Antony gets a hug from Alejandro Garnacho as the Old Trafford crowd celebrates his goal
Onana's challenge handed Burnley a late penalty, which they took advantage of to get a point
Amdouni celebrates after slotting home the penalty to earn the Clarets a precious point
Antony is denied at close quarters by the Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric in the second half
Casemiro goes to ground under pressure from David Datro Fofana as United push forward
Andre Onana makes a save to maintain parity for Manchester United during the opening 45
Ten Hag put himself in the firing line with his substitutions after 65 minutes. There weren’t many grumbles when Hojlund was replaced by Amad Diallo but it was open dissent as Mainoo was replaced.
‘It was logical to change. I wanted to protect the young players and it was the right decision,’ said ten Hag.
United kept plugging away with Garnacho’s half-volley saved by Muric and Harry Maguire – the team’s only fit senior centre-half - making a goal-saving block to stop Lorenz Assignon.
The deadlock was finally broken when Burnley blundered not for the first time this season. Berge attempted a crossfield pass inside his own half and Antony was alert to intercept and score.
He looked emotional, burying his head on Fernandes’ shoulder and pushing the ball under his shirt before displaying a cuddly toy handed to him by a cameraman to mark his girlfriend’s pregnancy.
Burnley refused to throw in the towel and Onana gave them a gift of their own. He missed a cross by miles and hit Amdouni instead.
The Cameroon international had got away with a similar challenge on the opening day of the season against Wolves but not this time. Referee John Brookes was asked to check his monitor and it wasn’t a difficult decision.
Burnley are now only two points from safety with 17th place Nottingham Forest due to visit Turf Moor on the final day.
Manchester United players try to block a free-kick taken by Burnley's Jacob Bruun Larsen
Frustration for United trio Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Antony during the opening half
Onana makes a block to deny Lyle Foster of Burnley after he got goalside of Harry Maguire
Christian Eriksen takes aim at the Clarets goal during the opening half at Old Trafford
Burnley's David Datro Fofana outpaces Casemiro as Burnley look to mount an attack
United striker Rasmus Hojlund takes on Burnley's Jacob Bruun Larsen during the match
Despite taking the lead so late in the game United were unable to keep hold of the points
The gap between Tottenham and Manchester United extends to six points with the former having another two games in hand
‘We think we have a team that is improving and that is exciting for a coach,’ said their manager Vincent Kompany.
‘The biggest thing for us is to go all out in our remaining games and play with no fear.’
Meanwhile, ten Hag must hope an FA Cup final win and top-six league finish is enough to placate Sir Jim Ratcliffe. United simply aren’t good enough yet to win gold like their most famous follower.
English (US)