LATE S AMDOUNI A REA Ten Hag sees Antony goal can TRIKE KEEPS BURNLEY’S TOP-FLIGHT SURVIVAL HOPES ALIVE
IN their glorious heyday late goals meant joy for United at Oldtrafford – now, with Erik ten Hag desperately clinging onto his job, they herald disaster. Once again United had the points in the bag after a fine 79th-minute Antony goal looked to be a moment of redemption for the expensive Brazilian flop.
But as they’ve done so often this year, United shot themselves in the foot with a moment of madness – this time from keeper Andre Onana who conceded a crazy late penalty to hand battling Burnley a draw.
Vincent Kompany saluted his brave stars, saying: “The mentality was perfect – the togetherness, the sacrifice for each other.
“We don’t give up – that’s not an option.we have three games, two atturf Moor.with our fans, with the momentum we have, we have to believe.”
Onana looked to have been well on the way to making up for his midweek blunder against Sheffield United after one world-class reflex save from Lyle Foster and a string of other decent stops.
But with time ticking away the Cameroon keeper rushed from goal to clear a high ball and punched Zeki Amdouni in the head.
Referee John Brooks was directed to the monitor BYVAR and after his decision Amdouni stepped up to send Onana the wrong way.
United launched a cavalry charge but to no avail and their terminally damaged season is now sinking into oblivion.
Not long ago,ten Hag harboured Champions League hopes.
But with tough closing games to come, including Arsenal and Newcastle, they’ll be lucky to make the Europa Conference League.
Looking to build momentum for the tougher challenges that lie ahead in the closing days of the campaign, United started on the front foot.
Once again Bruno Fernandes, the first Premier League player to set up 100 chances this season, was the catalyst for most of the creativity.
And after recovering from the first-minute scare of seeing David Fofana almost score, a succession of chances promised a United goal.
None came closer than Fernandes, who crashed a fierce left-foot drive against the post with 19 minutes gone.the boos that greeted Kobbie Mainoo’s departure just after the hour turned to cheers when Antony delivered a fine finish to give United the lead after a shocking pass across his back line by Sander Berge, before Amdouni levelled from the spot.
Ten Hag defended his decision to replace Mainoo, saying: “It’s totally logical. Mainoo has had two bad injuries, so I protect him.
“I have to do my job and that is my decision, but we should have stepped up.we put ourselves in a winning position but gave it away again at the end.”