Man United enjoy playing against newly promoted sides, Jonny Evans stars on his first Red Devils start in eight years… while long-serving receptionist Kath feels the love

• Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal in Man United’s 1-0 win against Burnley 
• The Man United captain scored a volley to end a run of three straight defeats 
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here 

Manchester United snapped their three match losing run with Bruno Fernandes strike earning a 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Man United captain volleyed into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time after being picked out by Jonny Evans raking pass.

Erik ten Hag’s side held firm despite Burnley pressure to secure a much needed clean sheet and a crucial three points.

The result lifted the Red Devils to eighth in the Premier League following their third win of the campaign.

Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt picks out some highlights from Turf Moor that you might have missed. 

Bruno Fernandes scored the only goal as Man United secured a 1-0 win over Burnley

The Man United captain scored a stunning volley on the stroke of half-time for the Red Devils 

Victory eases pressure on manager Erik ten Hag following a run of three successive defeats

Gloves… in September?

The answer is yes if you’re Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.

Eyebrows were raised at Turf Moor when the Brazilian bucked the trend of team-mates and emerged with thermal gloves on.

Burnley does feel like it has a climate of its own but it’s not winter yet!

Man United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro donned gloves during the match at Turf Moor

Kath feels the love

One of the biggest smiles at Carrington this week was for Kath Phipps on the reception desk, who celebrated 55 years working the role this weekend.

Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were among the first team stars to pay tribute to her as she posed with a bunch of flowers.

Having initially worked under Sir Matt Busby, she’s as big a star at Carrington on a day to day basis than all of Erik ten Hag’s players. A true unsung hero.

Man United’s long-serving receptionist Kath Phipps has celebrated 55 years in the role

United love the newly-promoted sides

United fans arrived trying to cling to any shred of positivity after a chastening week with back to back defeats to Brighton and then Bayern Munich.

A newly-promoted side was just what the doctor ordered as opposition with United having lost just one of their last 24 games against such teams (W17 D6).

Granted, that loss was the 4-1 defeat at Watford in November 2021 which cost Ole Gunnar Solskjær his job as manager.

They’ve won the last eight  of those in a row, their longest streak since a run of 12 between May 2011 and March 2013. After tonight, make it nine in a row.

A long time coming for Evans

Injury to Lisandro Martinez thrust 35-year-old Jonny Evans into the Manchester United side from the start.

Turning out at Turf Moor was Evans’ first Manchester United start since March 4, 2015, when the Red Devils lost 1-0 win at Newcastle United.

He was subsequently slapped with a six-game ban after the game that day with the Football Association charging him for spitting at striker Papiss Cisse. Talk about a bad omen.

But fear not about bad omens as the elder statesman put on a show, first with a headed goal disallowed by VAR and then a sumptuous through ball for Bruno Fernandes to volley in the opener. It marked his first Premier League assist for United since February 2013.

Manchester United’s own Benjamin Button.

Jonny Evans was thrust into Man United’s starting eleven after Lisandro Martinez’s injury

Crouch saves the day

There were no flies on Peter Crouch here at Turf Moor as his ninja-like reactions spared TNT Sports host Lynsey Hipgrave a soaking as a sprinkler went rogue near the tunnel.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham striker spotted the incoming downpour out of the corner of his eye and soon shoved his colleague to safety under cover.

Peter Crouch, right, saved TNT Sports host Lynsey Hipgrave from being soaked by a sprinkler

United Nations

Manchester United started with 10 different nationalities in their starting XI against Burnley, their most in a Premier League match since December 2013 against Newcastle – also 10.

How’s VAR luck?

United fans were crying out for a VAR curse to be lifted here after the technology went against them yet again.

They were not awarded a penalty at Tottenham; saw Alejandro Garnacho’s goal chalked off at Arsenal; Marcus Rashford had his assist for Rasmus Hojlund against Brighton disallowed; Christian Eriksen was penalised for a handball in the area at Bayern Munich.

Now, Hojlund was judged to be offside when Jonny Evans thought he had headed in for 1-0.

Jonny Evans thought he had given Man United the lead but Rasmus Hojlund was ruled offside

Don’t let United get ahead

One thing you don’t want to do is give Manchester United a head start.

The Red Devils are now unbeaten in their last 137 Premier League matches when leading at half-time (W118, D19) dating back to September 21, 2014 against Leicester City.

Jonny Evans played in that game, too. Bookended.

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