Fernandes beauty beats Burnley and eases United crisis 

Skipper scorches superb volley past James Trafford for game only goal to give Erik ten Hag a much-needed boost as veteran Evans shines

BIG BOOST: Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates with teammates after scoring their sides first goal during the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley. Picture date: Saturday September 23, 2023.

Burnley 0 Manchester United 1 

Bruno Fernandes' superb strike eased Manchester United's early season crisis at Turf Moor.

The United captain scored the only goal of the game with a volley on the stroke of half-time to end a run of three defeats for United that had set the alarm bells ringing at Old Trafford.

Apart from Fernandes' technically excellent goal, United's real hero was Jonny Evans, who gave a superb performance on his first start since his return to the club in the summer after eight years away first at West Brom and Leicester. Evans, 35, was something of a surprise summer signing but showed all his experience alongside Victor Lindelof as United kept their first clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season.

Apart from his intelligent defensive work the former Northern Ireland international provided the superb pass over the top of the Burnley defence that Fernandes dispatched expertly into the far corner of James Trafford's net and also had a first half goal disallowed because Victor Hojland was offside.

Amadou Onana made amends for his mistake against Bayern Munich with a fine early save from Zeki Amdouni. And United were lucky when Amdouni's shot hit the post moments later.

They failed to create many clear-cut chances but looked far more solid in midfield and defence and produced a collective work-rate discipline that will encourage Ten Hag after four defeats in their opening six games when they conceded 14 goals.

Burnley had a lot of possession and it might have been a different story had either of Amdouni's early efforts had gone in.

But boss Vincent Kompany will still take encouragement from his newly-promoted side's upbeat performance despite a fourth-successive home defeat.

Burnley (4-2-3-1): Trafford 7; Roberts 7, Al Dakhil 7, Beyer 6, Taylor 7; Cullen 7, Brownhill 7 (Benson 85); Gudmundsson 5 (Tresor 20, 6), Ramsey 6 (Berge 73, 5), Koleosho 7 (Larsen 73, 5); Amdouni 7 (Rodriguez 73, 5).

Subs unused: Muric (GK), Cork, Zaroury, Delcroix.

Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Onana 7; Dalot 7, Lindelof 7, Evans 9 (Amrabat 88), Reguilon 6 (Varane 79, 5); Casemiro 7, McTominay 7; Hannibal 6, Fernandes 8, Rashford 6; Hojlund 6.

Subs unused: Altay, Martial, Eriksen, Garnacho, Pellestri, Gore.

Goals: Fernandes 45.

Booked: Dalot.

Referee: Tony Harrington 7.