Man Utd player ratings: Bayindir howler proves both keepers must go as Zirkzee fails to impress but Mbeumo looks bright

A LATE Bruno Fernandes penalty scraped Manchester United their first win of the season after twice throwing away the lead against Burnley.

United should have been out of sight by half-time after an exciting half of free-flowing football, before cheap mistakes almost cost them dearly days after the dismal cup upset at Grimsby.

Ruben Amorim simply couldn’t lose this as the last time United were defeated by a newly promoted side was the 4-1 defeat at Watford that got Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sacked in 2021.

But this error-ridden showing wasn’t on the manager as terrible mistakes from the backline and a howler from Altay Bayindir gave Scott Parker’s side shock momentum out of nowhere.

Twice they led, twice they were pegged back by the Clarets but Fernandes stepped up in injury time, after VAR spotted a shirt pull from Jaidon Anthony on Amad Diallo, and dispatched the penalty kick.

Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players as old habits returned at Old Trafford.

Altay Bayindir – 2

Not sure how Bayindir – or Andre Onana for that matter – can stay at the club beyond Monday’s deadline.

After a quiet first half, the Turk dropped another howler as his fumbling push out gifted Burnley a second.

Another game, another goalkeeping mistake. It’s just comical at this point.

Diogo Dalot – 3

You’ve almost got to feel sorry for Dalot, he didn’t look comfortable in attacking positions as a wing-back and messed up the flow almost every time. 

Switched to the left wing at the expense of the dropped Patrick Dorgu, but his movement infield tried to give United another outlet.

Matthijs De Ligt – 6

Had a steady first-half and looks to be the big presence in the backline.

A decent enough performance for a team that conceded to cheap goals.

Leny Yoro – 6

Looks to be the new target on corners with Harry Maguire benched. 

The only one with a bit of bottle as he crunched into tackles to help out the midfield chaos at times. 

Yoro started the game well enough, but was nowhere near Anthony for 2-2.

Luke Shaw – 5

The longest serving player at the club is part of the back three now so it’s strange to see Shaw caught up in tangles with Dalot at times.

Offered support down the left flank and linked up well with his teammates. Switched off for the first Burnley equaliser.

Casemiro – 6

Just when the home crowd got into their usual rendition ‘Amorim’s glory days will come again’, Casemiro was done by Lesley Ugochukwu early on. 

But it was the Real Madrid legend who had a hand in the opener after his header bounced off the post and was tapped in for Josh Cullen’s own-goal.

Worked hard, chased down a wide cross to win United a corner out of nowhere but he can’t last more than 70 minutes.

Bruno Fernandes – 7

After missing a rare penalty at Fulham last week, the skipper showed incredible nerve to win at the death from the spot after being forced to wait an age again in added time.

He’s still the only United man who can find an outstanding pass out of nowhere and the first goal came from his free-kick.

Fernandes worked well with Mbeumo and Amad but was needlessly booked after his head got the better of him after 2-2.

Amad Diallo – 6

After a torrid night at Grimsby, Amad was a threat and linked up well with Cunha and Mbeumo. 

But the Ivorian winger put himself in contention for miss of the season after ballooning an absolute sitter over the bar from five yards out on the brink of half-time.

Tried to make up for miss as he teed up Mbeumo’s goal and won the match-winning penalty.

Bryan Mbeumo – 8

After walking off with his head down at Grimsby, Mbeumo looked to put the past behind him with a lively display here.

The former Brentford star immediately regained the lead 15 seconds after the kick-off to bag his first Premier League goal of the season.

His crosses offer a new threat to United as well as excellent set-piece deliveries. A quality first touch and wonderful ability to stretch teams.

Mason Mount – 7

Mount’s bright start was seemingly rewarded after he pounced on Kyle Walker’s loose touch and did everything he could to get into the penalty area to draw a foul from the former Manchester City captain. 

Ref Sam Barrott pointed straight to the spot but overturned his decision after a lengthy five minute review at the monitor. 

Was one of the best players of the first half before being untimely brought off injured at half-time for Mainoo.

Matheus Cunha – 5

Gets into great positions and creates space but I’m yet to see a threatening shot from the Brazilian in his first three league games as a United player.  

But the former Wolves man is now a doubt for his first Manchester derby in two weeks time after hobbling off with an apparent hamstring injury inside 30 minutes.

SUBS

Joshua Zirkzee (for Cunha 30min) – 4

Was given the nod to replace an injured Cunha after half-an-hour over new signing Benjamin Sesko for his first minutes of the season.

Missed his first chance but played a brilliant role in a lightning break, finding Mbeumo who set it on a plate for Amad’s sitter. 

Spurned a sitter to make it 2-0 after his timid finish was kept out from about eight yards with only Dubravka to beat.

Kobbie Mainoo (for Mount HT) – 5

With the saga surrounding Mainoo’s potential exit Amorim appeared to try and silence the noise while bringing the midfielder on for an injured Mount at half-time.

And the England star immediately teed up Zirkzee for a chance to double their lead.

Was part of the mix up in the box for 2-2, when Bayindir pushed the ball out to him for a deflection.

Benjamin Sesko (for Casemiro 72) – 4

Was chomping on the bit to get involved but hardly got a sniff.

Headed over from inside the six yards box with five minutes left. Should’ve done better.

And seconds later the 6ft 5in giant skimmed another header just wide.

Noussair Mazraoui (for Yoro 85) – N/A

Got a big cheer after returning from injury for his first appearance of the season.