Final: Manchester United 3–2 Burnley | MVP: Amad Diallo
Match Summary (TL;DR)
- Result: Manchester United 3–2 Burnley
- MVP: Amad Diallo (constant threat; won the stoppage-time penalty)
- Turning Point: VAR-recommended review led to Bruno Fernandes’ 90+7’ winning penalty.
Football key metrics: xG 4.0–1.0 (TSDb), shots 26–6, SOT 6–3, possession 62%–38%.
Match Overview
| Competition | English Premier League 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Date | Aug 30, 2025 10:00 AM ET |
| Venue | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Officials | Ref: Darren England; VAR: David Coote |
| Weather | Cloudy, 17°C |
| Scorers | Højlund 18’, Mount 42’, Fernandes (P) 90+7’ — Burnley: Foster 34’, Amdouni 76’ |
Highlight Timeline
- 18’ — Rasmus Højlund finishes calmly after Rashford’s cross (1–0).
- 34’ — Lyle Foster equalizes with a low strike past Onana (1–1).
- 42’ — Mason Mount restores United’s lead with a deflected effort (2–1).
- 76’ — Zeki Amdouni heads home for Burnley (2–2).
- 90+7’ — Bruno Fernandes converts penalty after VAR review (3–2).
Top 5 Key Moments
- Højlund’s early opener set United’s rhythm.
- Burnley’s equalizer exposed United’s defensive lapses.
- Mount’s first Old Trafford goal gave momentum before halftime.
- Amdouni’s header shocked the home crowd at 2–2.
- Fernandes’ stoppage-time penalty decided the contest.
Lineups & Tactical Flow
Manchester United: Onana — Dalot, Martínez, Varane, Shaw — Mainoo, Mount — Diallo, Fernandes, Rashford — Højlund
Burnley: Muric — Roberts, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor — Brownhill, Berge — Odobert, Cullen, Koleosho — Foster
Tactical notes: United pressed high with inverted fullbacks, while Burnley compacted centrally and sought transitions via Foster. United’s substitutions (Garnacho, Eriksen) added control late on.
Statistical Validation
| Metric | Manchester United | Burnley |
|---|---|---|
| xG | 4.0 | 1.0 |
| Shots (OT) | 26 (6) | 6 (3) |
| Possession % | 62% | 38% |
| PPDA | 9.5 | 15.8 |
| Set-piece xG | 0.7 | 0.3 |
Player Ratings
| Player | Team | Key Stats | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amad Diallo | Manchester United | 7 dribbles, 4 chances created, won decisive penalty | 9.0 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 1 goal (P), 5 key passes | 8.5 |
| Rasmus Højlund | Manchester United | 1 goal, 5 shots | 8.0 |
| Zeki Amdouni | Burnley | 1 goal, 2 shots | 7.5 |
| Lyle Foster | Burnley | 1 goal, 1.0 xG | 7.0 |
Final Assessment
Manchester United edged Burnley 3–2 in dramatic fashion at Old Trafford. The Red Devils generated significantly higher xG and dominated possession, but defensive lapses nearly cost them. Burnley’s efficiency kept the game alive, yet Fernandes’ late penalty sealed the win. United’s reliance on individual brilliance remains a concern, though Amad Diallo’s emergence offers new dynamism. Burnley proved resilient but lacked depth to sustain pressure.
Stable drivers: Amad Diallo’s creativity, Fernandes’ leadership, Mount’s midfield control
References
TheSportsDB · ESPN · FBref
Informational purposes only. No betting/investment advice. Trademarks belong to respective owners.