Burnley’s inaugural Premier League victory was at Turf Moor, where Jonny Evans made his Manchester United debut at age 21. It is still their final home game against United. Up
If Evans’ inclusion in an unstable United XI was foreboding, he made every effort to avoid a humiliation similar to 2009. Just as the fourth official had seated himself after signaling the start of additional time for the first half, he had a goal disallowed and set up Bruno Fernandes’ winning goal.
Evans, who is now 35, has always been a better footballer than a defender, and Sir Alex Ferguson once assigned him to play left back in a cup final. Evans’ left foot was responsible for the flying pass that soared at least 30 yards before finding Fernandes.
Any victory would have been enough to fix the shattered badge, and United traveled to Burnley in difficult conditions with a team selection that might have put the manager in jeopardy. United triumphed in a game they had to win.
Evans’ recall was less problematic than Scott McTominay’s, who had blatantly faltered against Bayern Munich 72 hours prior. Hannibal Mejbri’s inclusion in the starting lineup was also unexpected, despite the fact that he was a formidable opponent for Burnley’s defensive specialists and a compliment to late breakaways.
Erik ten Hag still needs to handle certain urgent matters, but he won’t until United’s injury list gets shorter. Raphael Varane and Sofyan Amrabat would not have sat on the bench if they were both totally fit.
At Burnley, United rarely has it easy, but they managed to go through a tense time in which Zeki Amdouni was stopped by Andre Onana and then the post with the score still scoreless. When Onana and Evans and Victor Lindelof had finished their little conversation in the 76th minute, McTominay, Casemiro, and Diogo Dalot all of a sudden started speaking. This year, United has not engaged in any such planning. Their bed sheet was kept tidy.
A boisterous away end with a convenient bar at the cricket club behind the Barnfield Construction Stand provided the United players with excellent support. As Amrabat warmed up and became the newest player to be serenaded to the song of Baby Give It Up by the Bee Gees, they started to rock out to “We want Glazers out” with eight minutes remaining.
United rarely has an easy time at Burnley, but they managed to navigate a tight period in which Zeki Amdouni was saved by Andre Onana and then the post with no goals yet. In the 76th minute, McTominay, Casemiro, and Diogo Dalot all of a sudden began speaking after Onana, Evans, and Victor Lindelof had ended their little conversation. United hasn’t done any such planning for this year. Their sheets were neatly folded.
The cricket club behind the Barnfield Construction Stand has a noisy away end with a handy bar that gave the United players great support. As Amrabat warmed up, the Bee Gees’ song “Baby Give It Up” began to be played, and Amrabat was the newest player to be serenaded.
