Manchester United secured a much-needed first win of the season for under-fire manager Ruben Amorim, but needed a 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty to beat newly-promoted Burnley 3-2.
After exiting the League Cup to fourth-tier Grimsby on Wednesday, the Red Devils twice blew the lead at Old Trafford on Saturday.
But they were saved in stoppage time when Fernandes, who missed a penalty in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Fulham, scored from the spot after a VAR review for a pull on Amad Diallo.
Victory takes United to four points from their opening three Premier League games and eases the pressure on Amorim ahead of a two-week international break.
"I'm not thinking about turning points," said Amorim after securing just his eighth win in 30 Premier League games in charge.
"I had this conversation with you guys (the media) like 10 times, so it's day by day...we have a lot to do, but we returned a little bit to our level today."
The 20-time English champions had suffered the latest and biggest embarrassment of Amorim's reign in losing to League Two opposition for the first time in the club's history in midweek.
🗣 Ruben Amorim: "When they [#mufc players] put the effort in, I will always love them. Even when Amad is missing that kind of goal, I love Amad if he's giving everything! I think we need to understand we always need to be on this level of effort." [@BeanymanSports]#Manutd… pic.twitter.com/Jg26fk5GHe
— StretfordStorm (@Stretfordstorm) August 30, 2025
The Portuguese coach cast doubt on his future in the aftermath, saying "something has to change" and that he would "think things through".
'HARD' FOR MAN UTD 'KEEPERS
Amorim dropped goalkeeper Andre Onana after his role in both Grimsby goals, but his replacement Altay Bayindir endured another difficult afternoon.
Penalty to Man Utd in stoppage time. Bruno Fernandes steps up...
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 30, 2025
And scores! Man Utd have a late, late lead against Burnley! pic.twitter.com/F1XbaUFc9c
United have been linked with a move for Antwerp's Senne Lammens as a solution to their goalkeeping issues before Monday's transfer deadline.
"It's hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment. But if you look at the first goal, we can defend the better the box," added Amorim.
"The players are struggling a little bit with all the things around the club, that is normal. So it's not just the goalkeepers, I think everybody has to improve."
United began like a side keen to make amends.
Martin Dubravka did well to deny Bryan Mbeumo an early opener before United had a penalty overturned by a VAR review after Mason Mount went down under Kyle Walker's challenge.
An eventful few moments at Old Trafford...
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 30, 2025
55 mins: Lyle Foster equalises for Burnley
57 mins: Bryan Mbeumo restores Man Utd's lead! pic.twitter.com/ii2hSmDj4e
United's only previous Premier League goal of the season came via the opposition when Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz turned into his own net.
Amorim's men needed another own goal to break the deadlock when Casemiro's header came back off the bar and in off the unfortunate Josh Cullen.
United should have been further ahead before half-time as Diallo sliced a huge chance wide from Mbeumo's pass.
Burnley had barely threatened as an attacking force in the first half but opened up United with ease to level on 55 minutes.
Lyle Foster stretched to meet Jacob Bruun Larsen's pinpoint cross.
Straight from the kick-off, United retook the lead.
Mbeumo's slick movement took him away from his marker to meet Diogo Dalot's cross and net the Frenchman's first Premier League goal since a £65 million move from Brentford.
An eventful few moments at Old Trafford...
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 30, 2025
55 mins: Lyle Foster equalises for Burnley
57 mins: Bryan Mbeumo restores Man Utd's lead! pic.twitter.com/ii2hSmDj4e
United's frailty from set-pieces and their goalkeeping woes continued as Burnley again came from behind.
The Clarets and Foster were denied a second equaliser by the finest of margins for offside against the South African international.
Instead, it was Jaidon Anthony who levelled when Bayindir could only parry Loum Tchaouna's effort back into the middle of the goal.
Amorim finally introduced £74 million striker Benjamin Sesko for the final 15 minutes in the search for a winner.
Twice the giant Slovenian headed chances to make himself a hero off target.
Instead, Fernandes rode to his side's rescue after a lengthy VAR check on whether Anthony's pull on Diallo continued inside the box.
An agonising defeat leaves Burnley with three points from their opening three games.