Ruben is rescued by spot of good luck

Calm Fernandes and VAR reprieve Amorim

- By Simon Mullock

HIS time Bruno Fernandes made no mistake. Last Sunday at Fulham the Manchester United skipper, normally so reliable a penalty-taker, blazed over as Ruben Amorim’s side drew.

Here, in the 97th minute, with the score 2-2 and Amorim’s job on the line after another erratic United display, Fernandes kept his cool to score from the spot.

The outpouring of emotion from the skipper, his teammates and 70,000 United fans showed the significance of the goal that secured a first league win of the season.

And after the ultimate humiliation of a midweek EFL Cup exit to League Two Grimsby, Amorim knew failure to win here was simply not an option.

But although they left it late, as they have so often, United managed to secure victory at the death courtesy of a late VAR intervention.

With Burnley, who twice came from behind, looking like they had earned a deserved point, Amad Diallo burst into the area only to have his shirt pulled by Jaidon Anthony.

Although referee Samuel Barrott failed to spot the transgression, VAR ordered him to the pitchside monitor - for the second time in the game — and he duly gave a penalty.

United heeded their manager’s pe-match call to show intensity from the off, playing with a swagger and an attacking menace that put them firmly in control.