Fernandes strikes at the death as Man. United edge Burnley in thriller

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Manchester United secured a nerve-shredding 3-2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford on  Saturday after captain Bruno Fernandes struck a decisive penalty deep into stoppage time.

The match, filled with controversy, wasted chances, and VAR drama, began with chaos in the 17th minute.

Kyle Walker’s shirt tug on a United attacker initially earned the hosts a penalty, only for referee Samuel Barrott to reverse his decision after a VAR review, infuriating the home side.

United soon went ahead in the 27th minute when Burnley’s Josh Cullen turned the ball into his own net under pressure.

But the Reds failed to capitalise further, with Casemiro and Mason Mount both rattling the crossbar and Amad Diallo twice denied by Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The visitors grew into the game and equalised on 56 minutes when Lyle Foster clinically finished into the bottom corner.

However, Old Trafford roared back almost instantly as Bryan Mbeumo restored United’s lead just a minute later.

Burnley thought they had levelled again almost immediately, but Foster’s strike was ruled offside.

The tension boiled over in the 66th minute when Altay Bayindir produced a remarkable save from Loum Tchaouna, only for Jaidon Anthony to smash in the rebound and make it 2-2.

As the game crept into stoppage time, United pressed desperately. Amad Diallo went down in the box in the 92nd minute, waved away at first by the referee. Yet VAR intervened once more, and after a lengthy review, the penalty was awarded.

Captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up with the weight of Old Trafford on his shoulders and calmly slotted home in the 97th minute, sealing a hard-fought 3-2 triumph.