Amorim breathes: Man United beats Burnley in dramatic 3-2

In a match marked by emotion and uncertainty, Manchester United achieved an agonizing 3-2 victory over Burnley, a triumph that, although valuable, did not generate an effusive celebration from the coach, Ruben Amorim. After the final whistle, Amorim limited himself to a handshake with Scott Parker, a hug from Joshua Zirkzee, and a solitary walk towards the tunnel. A gesture of relief rather than jubilation, evidencing the accumulated tension.

The weight of being the United coach

In the pre-match press conference, Amorim had expressed the emotional rollercoaster that comes with managing United. “Sometimes I love my players, sometimes I hate them,” he stated. Phrases that resonated after a match where his team, after squandering a lead on two occasions, needed a penalty in the 97th minute, converted by Bruno Fernandes, to secure the victory.

The victory, although crucial, did not dispel the doubts. The team generated 26 shots on Burnley’s goal, but the lack of forcefulness and defensive errors were evident again. Amorim, aware of the pressure, admitted that victory was vital. However, he did not appear euphoric, but rather pragmatic.

“I’m not thinking about a turning point,” Amorim said. “The match ended well. I think we deserved to win, and then, at this moment, every possession near our area, they can score. We are in that moment, so we are always chasing many things. But we deserved to win and we tried until the last minute to score goals. We had our chances and in the end we deserved to win”.

Ruben Amorim

The best Man United player could be their biggest problem. Among the positive news, Bryan Mbeumo’s performance stands out, who scored his first goal in the league and offered hope for Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.

However, the defensive deficiencies, evidenced in Burnley’s goals, are a concern. Amorim, aware of these problems, highlighted his players’ effort, but knows that more is needed to reverse the situation. This was only Amorim’s fifth league win at Old Trafford since he took over. The coach is aware that he needs more than a win over Burnley to convince those who doubt that he is the right man to rescue the club. In the post-match press conference, Amorim admitted that he can only think “day by day.” The victory over Burnley has bought him some time, but the road to regaining Manchester United’s glory is long and challenging.