UK Edition
Erik ten Hag booed during Man Utd’s stagnant draw with Burnley
Erik ten Hag was roundly booed for his substitutions before Manchester United were jeered off after a dismal display against Burnley at Old Trafford effectively ended their hopes of Champions League qualification.
Antony’s first Premier League goal of the season had put United on course for an unconvincing victory late only for Zeki Amdouni’s 87th minute penalty to earn Burnley a 1-1 draw and leave Ten Hag’s side 12 points adrift of the top four with four games remaining.
Ten Hag’s decision to substitute Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo in the 65th minute was met with loud boos from large sections of the Old Trafford crowd and intensified the pressure on the United manager, who is effectively on trial as Ineos weigh up whether to make a change.
On the angry reaction of supporters to his substitution of Hojlund and Mainoo for Amad Diallo and Scott McTominay, Ten Hag added: “They are fans but I have to manage the team … Rasmus and Kobbie are very young players. It was the right decision and you can see the benefit from bringing the fresh legs of Scott, when it is open he is very good and can make his penetrations from there.
“Rasmus Hojlund has had injuries, Kobbie Mainoo had bad injuries so I protected them as well but I understand that fans want to see the skills those players are bringing and contribute to the team. I understand that, but I have to do my job and that is the right decision.”
Report: Ten Hag running out of excuses as Man Utd inconsistencies continue
It is easy to forget now, 20 years on, that Sir Alex Ferguson faced some very uncomfortable questions in those days when he was rebuilding Manchester United in the image of a young Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Erik ten Hag referred back to that time in the aftermath of this latest dimly received disappointment, referencing how even that team in 2004 and 2005 “didn’t play that great football” but were “building” and required the sort of patience he himself is now calling for. He even went as far as to suggest that some of the acerbic critics of his United who played in that Ferguson team - so Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Gary Neville and the like - have forgotten the pressure they were under back then.
It was an interesting point well made but others might also note that those United sides never finished lower than third in the Premier League table and, unlike Ten Hag now, Ferguson had an exemplary body of work behind him that ensured him time. The question is whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his new regime at Old Trafford will draw a similar analogy with the Class of 2024 in how far patience can be stretched before it snaps altogether. Because afternoons like this really do not aid the manager’s cause.
There were jeers at the final whistle after Andre Onana’s rush of blood to the head had gifted Burnley a penalty that was calmly dispatched by Zeki Amdouni to cancel out Antony’s first Premier League goal of the season. But they felt less significant than the loud boos that had reverberated around Old Trafford when Ten Hag opted to bring off Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo in the 65th minute.
In fairness to Ten Hag, both players looked spent but the home supporters showed little enthusiasm for the decision and let their feelings be known. It is the third time this season Ten Hag has been rebuked by the Old Trafford crowd for a substitution after similar reactions against Brighton and Manchester City early in the season and such an open show of defiance is not a good look. That restlessness and frustration was evident for much of the afternoon and not just late on after the concession of another late goal that effectively ended any faint hopes United had of playing Champions League football next season.
United were forced to come from behind twice to beat the now relegated Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday and, three days later, they had to watch their players turning over the ball cheaply time and again to yet another relegation threatened team who carved several outstanding chances.
Onana may ultimately have cost his team dearly when he clattered Amdouni coming for a late cross in shades of his reckless challenge on Sasa Kalajdzic in the 1-0 opening day win at home to Wolves that somehow did not result in a penalty. Not so much luck on this occasion. But it took two fine saves from the Cameroon goalkeeper in the space of four first half minutes to thwart Lyle Foster - the first a wonderful stop to keep out a close range header - and even after his mistake only a vital save at his near post from Wilson Odobert denied Burnley a dramatic 95th minute winner.
Ten Hag bemoaned the denial of a penalty for United very late on when Vitinho appeared to handle Antony’s shot and rightly wondered how it was any different to the penalty Aaron Wan-Bissaka had conceded for handball against Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend. But there were bigger concerns here than inconsistent officiating.
United did fashion chances, with Aro Muric making a fine save to deny Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes hitting a post. But it is troubling when some of the more fluid attacking moves of the game are pieced together by opponents battling relegation who also happen to look more comfortable bringing the ball out from the back. A recent turnaround in form and results has given Burnley hope of staying up and if they play this well in their remaining games against Newcastle, Spurs and Nottingham Forest then they will have a chance.
“We just want to have an opportunity on that last day against Forest,” Vincent Kompany, the Burnley manager, said.
His players showed great character to fight back after an errant pass from Sander Berge, otherwise superb in the game, was intercepted by Antony, who darted forward and under pressure steered a cool finish under pressure just before his feet were about to give way.
Burnley poured forward in search of an equaliser and got their break when Onana came for a cross and cleaned out Amdouni even though Wan-Bissaka had already headed clear. Referee John Brooks did not blow for a penalty but was directed to the pitchside monitor by VAR Peter Bankes and awarded a spot-kick on review of the incident.
A point was no less than Burnley deserved. As for Ten Hag, the pressure keeps being piled on.
Late penalty gives Burnley valuable point – as it happened
Ten Hag’s thoughts
Strong start to the game. Loads of chances then we lost in control in second part of first half. Burnley came back in the game and had some chances. Second half was all ours and we are in a winning position and we give the game away at the end.
Very frustrated, shouldn’t happen. You put yourself in difficult positions. Over many phases of the game we did very good so at the end we have to take the three points and the clean sheet. We gave it away again at the end.
We put ourselves in a winning position by playing some good football - creating loads of chances and then to give it away in the end in the final minutes it’s so unnecessary.
Kompany on his team’s performance
Intense game, good, well-fought battle. I thought either side were going for the win. We had some big chances.
We are where we are in the league for a reason so not everything can be perfect but the mentality was perfect - the togetherness, the sacrifice for each other. Football is like this. For us it’s good to hold onto the momentum and look to the next game.
Burnley’s goalscorer Amdouni speaking after the game
Result is very important for us, we knew that coming to Old Trafford would be difficult but at the end I think we deserved this point.
We could’ve got more from the game but Man Utd also had a lot of chances. Our keeper saved some great chances but some opportunities we can do better.
Never easy to take a penalty in the last five minutes at 1-0 down. But I took my breath and took it.
Burnley gain a point - Newcastle and Spurs next
As a former Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany will have enjoyed the application shown by his Burnley team at Old Trafford. Burnley are two points behind Nottingham Forest, so are in the fight. Forest and Burnley meet on the final day of the season.
GOAL! Burnley level from the spot after Onana cleans out Amdouni (Man Utd 1 Burnley 1)
A very similar incident to Wolves on the opening weekend, with Onana coming for a cross but punching Amdouni. The Burnley man steadies himself to tuck away the penalty.
There was slight bewilderment at first when John Brooks headed to the monitor but that is a clear penalty. Very little debate even from the home side. And Burnley just about deserve that equaliser.
Palace have struggled since half time (Fulham 1 Palace 0)
10 minutes left for Palace to find something but they’ve been poor this half after playing so well in the first period. Odsonne Edouard is now on for Mateta but Fulham are defending well. A win for them here would keep alive hopes of a top-half finish.
GOAL! Antony punishes Berge mistake (Man Utd 1 Burnley 0)
Antony has scored his first Premier League goal of the season, and finally there has been a goal after so many chances at both ends. And there was an unusual celebration...
That’s going to take some explaining. Antony’s strong performance ends with a deserved goal. He runs to the hoardings and celebrates with a person who looks like an official club photographer who hands him a blue cuddly toy - computer game character “Sonic the Hedgehog,” I believe. Anthony points meaningfully as he holds it … stay tuned to find out why!
GOAL! Callum Wilson comes off the bench to score (Newcastle 5 Sheff Utd 1)
Newcastle just need the three more to match the eight they scored at Bramall Lane earlier this season.
There are still almost 20 minutes left to play and Newcastle could easily score another eight here as they did in the fixture at Bramall Lane back in September. Sheffield United have gone.
GOAL! Sheffield Utd falling apart (Newcastle 4 Sheff Utd 1)
Ben Osborn has scored an own goal. Surely no way back for Chris Wilder’s team.
If you’re having a bad day, it’s probably not as bad as the one Sheffield United defender Ben Osborn who has just managed to produce a back heel flick into his own net from six yards. I’ve no idea what he was trying to do. This is why Sheffield United are going down.
Mateta denied
Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored eight league goals since Glasner was appointed in February. Only Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has managed more in the same period but the Frenchman has hardly had a kick today. He was almost in just a moment ago before a smart block from Calvin Bassey denied him as Palace look to respond.
Rob Edwards rolls the dice (Wolves 2 Luton 0)
And changes there are. Luke Berry and Cauley Woodrow on for Jordan Clark and the out-of -sorts Hashioka. Elijah Adebayo and Andros Townsend still stewing on the bench. Luton not looking likely to turn this around at all…
GOAL! Isak scores from the penalty spot (Newcastle 3 Sheff Utd 1)
Sheffield United are heading back to the Championship. We have known that since August practically, but it looks like being confirmed today after an Isak penalty sees Newcastle pull clear.
The chat at half time from the Sheffield media contingent was that Sheffield United would start to fade the longer the game went on and they have not had anything like the same zip in their play since half time and have been punished when they switched off at a free kick, leaving Bruni Guimaraes unmarked to head home at the far post.
Anthony Gordon has just botched a great chance to make it three too but, hang on, the England international has just won a penalty, brought down by his former Everton teammate Mason Holgate. And Isak converts. 3-1 Newcastle and Sheffield United have imploded again.
GOAL! Muniz with his 10th league goal of the season (Fulham 1 Palace 0)
Marco Silva’s team were up against it in the first half, but have responded well since the break and now lead.
That was Fulham’s only fluid bit of football of the game and it resulted in a fine team goal. A clever little pass inside the full-back from Andreas Pereira allowed Timothy Castagne the space to chip across to the far post from where Muniz headed in.
End of season feel at Craven Cottage
It is hardly beach weather on the banks of the Thames but for most of that half, Fulham looked like they had the flip-flops on. After an electric start from Palace, the game has slowed down. Marco Silva’s side did have a brief flicker of hope when Rodrigo Muniz had their first shot on target, drawing a save from Dean Henderson at the near post but there were boos as the home side trudged off at the break.
Onana with a big save to keep United level (Man Utd 0 Burnley 0)
Onana had to quickly change direction and pluck Foster’s header off the line, but that is an almighty scare for Man Utd. Burnley very close to taking the lead at Old Trafford.
Nobody pulls off the black suit/white trainers/baseball cap combo quite like Vinny Kompany and the Burnley boss is by far the happier of the two managers on the touchline now. In fact, his players have matched his off-field sartorial elegance on it the last few minutes and should be ahead: Onana with the save of the match from a Foster header.
GOAL! Alexander Isak continues his rich vein of form (Newcastle 1 Sheff Utd 1)
Another unerring finish from Isak, and Sheffield United’s lead lasted little more than 20 minutes.
This is as bad as I have seen Newcastle play at St James’ Park this season and the crowd were really starting to vent their anger when, out of nothing, Alexander Isak scores. It’s a wonderful pass from Jacob Murphy and the Sweden international times is run to perfection in behind before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner. It is the seventh successive home game that Isak has scored in. What a player he is.
Palace on top at Craven Cottage (Fulham 0 Palace 0)
Eighteen minutes in and it’s all Palace. They should be ahead through Michael Olise who uncharacteristically lacked the composure to convert Adam Wharton’s pass. Chris Richards has also gone close with a head whilst the was a VAR check for a potential penalty for a foul on Daniel Munoz. Fulham have hardly got out of their half and the fans aren’t happy.
Old Trafford revelling in Liverpool’s misfortunes (Man Utd 0 Burnley 0)
Strong start by United and merriment at events in London from their supporters who offer a rendition of “Jurgen’s cracking up” in reference to Liverpool’s recent problems. Given United’s recent form in eventual wins against Coventry and Sheffield United, they might want to hold fire on poking fun at their rivals.
GOAL! Sheffield United lead at Newcastle (Newcastle 0 Sheff Utd 1)
The obituaries have been written for Sheffield United’s Premier League season - lose today and they are down - but they have taken a suprise early lead at St James’ Park. Ollie Arblaster was involved but Anel Ahmedhodzic got the final touch.
Just as they did against Manchester United in midweek, Sheffield United have taken the lead away from home. a well-worked corner routine headed in by Anel Ahmedhodzic. The travelling supporters are loving every second. Newcastle have not started well at all.
Palace fans making their presence felt
Pungent red and blue smoke is wafting around Craven Cottage following a flare thrown onto the pitch from the away end. It looks like it will clear just in time for kick-off. The away end is packed and the Palace fans in good voice.
Usain Bolt watching on at Old Trafford
Fill in your own punchline here, but Usain Bolt is in the Old Trafford directors’ box today. The Olympic legend attracted plenty of well wishers and autograph seekers, evidence he is still a universally popular character. As Erik ten Hag applauds the United fans on his way to the dug-out, it will be interesting to see if those supporters extend the same goodwill to their players and manager in 90 minutes’ time.
Palace under-strength
Palace are missing plenty of key players here: Eberechi Eze, Jefferson Lerma, Marc Guehi and Cheikh Doucoure to name four of them. But they haven’t lost in their last four visits to Craven Cottage and have won three Premier League games in a row for the first time in a year under Oliver Glasner. With little at stake, could we be in for an open, attacking game?
A pairing Newcastle fans have wanted to see
At a combined cost of more than £50m, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall were an expensive full back pair signed last summer. The fact it has taken them until the end of April to start a Premier League game together highlights the fact that money could probably have been spent elsewhere.
Hall has struggled to convince manager Eddie Howe to trust him while Livramento has either been behind Kieran Trippier or injured in his first season on Tyneside.
It will be fascinating to see how they get on against Sheffield United. They were signed as players for the future but Newcastle need to start seeing evidence they are ready to have a real impact on the first team.
More dropped points for Liverpool....
Man Utd fans may well have been more emotionally invested in Liverpool dropping points than their upcoming game against Burnley and their wish has been granted. Jurgen Klopp’s team drew 2-2 at West Ham in the lunchtime kick-off and the Liverpool manager appeared to exchange choice words with Mohamed Salah. You can follow the latest reaction to that game here.
Newcastle vs Sheffield United team news
Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Subs: Dummett, Wilson, Ritchie, Barnes, Krafth, Karius, White, Alex Murphy, Parkinson
Sheff Utd XI: Foderingham, Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Bogle, Hamer, Arblaster, Brooks, Osborn, Archer, Brereton
Subs: Grbic, Norwood, Robinson, Vinicius Souza, Ben Slimane, Larouci, Curtis, Osula, Marsh
Wolves vs Luton team news
Wolves XI: Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo, Kilman, Gomes, Doherty, Traore, Ait Nouri, Joao Gomes, Mario Lemina, Hwang, Matheus Cunha
Subs: Hugo Bueno, Doyle, Sarabia, Bentley, Gonzalez, Barnett, Okoduwa, Chirewa, Fraser
Luton Town XI: Kaminski, Burke, Mengi, Osho, Hashioka, Sambi Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty, Clark, Chong, Morris
Subs: Shea, Berry, Woodrow, Adebayo, Mpanzu, Krul, Townsend, Onyedinma, Johnson
Fulham vs Crystal Palace team news
Fulham XI: Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Joao Palhinha, Reed, Iwobi, Andreas Pereira, De Cordova-Reid, Rodrigo Muniz
Subs: Rodak, Tete, Wilson, Broja, Cairney, Traore, Ream, Willian, Lukic
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Clyne, Andersen, Richards, Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Ayew, Olise, Mateta
Subs: Ward, Tomkins, Schlupp, Edouard, Ahamada, Matthews, Riedewald, Rak-Sakyi, Ozoh
Man Utd vs Burnley team news
Man Utd XI: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Maguire, Dalot, Mainoo, Eriksen, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Amrabat, Mount, Diallo, McTominay, Forson, Amass, Jackson, Wheatley
Burnley XI: Muric, Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Vitinho, Foster, Berge, Cullen, Bruun Larsen, Odobert, Fofana
Subs: Trafford, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Rodriguez, Benson, Ekdal, Amdouni, Ndayishimiye
Mason Mount returns as Man Utd’s injury crisis begins to ease
By Reuters
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will have Mason Mount back for this afternoon’s Premier League game against Burnley and is hopeful Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martinez will return before the season’s end.
Mount, who has started just seven matches this season across all competitions, had just returned from a three-month injury layoff when he suffered a setback in United’s FA Cup semi-final win over Coventry City last Sunday.
Their 4-2 win over Sheffield United on Wednesday has Ten Hag’s men sixth in the standings, seven points behind Tottenham Hotspur who have a game in hand, and so the manager could use all the reinforcements he can get.
“I think we are going to see those three this season,” Ten Hag said of Shaw, Martial and Martinez. “All three returned to the pitch. Next week they have to step into team training but next week, they can step in for the last weeks. They progress well.”
United’s defending has been an issue all season due to injuries, with the side conceding 50 goals in the league. Ten Hag was forced to slot midfielder Casemiro into a centre-back position alongside Harry Maguire in the last two games.
“It’s difficult. I know that from experience,” he said. “Partnerships are so important in football. Things have to be decided in split seconds so that you know with each other where to run. So important to have the right connections, to be stable.”
Ten Hag threw his support behind Marcus Rashford when asked about the harsh treatment the forward has received online this season.
Rashford had responded to a post on social media platform X on Thursday evening that called the targeting of him online “absolutely disgusting” and “cruel”.
The 26-year-old player replied, writing: “I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough.”
Ten Hag said he has a lot of sympathy for Rashford.
“So last season, I think he had the best season he has had in his career, he scored 30 goals, and you see what he is capable of,” the manager said.
“Then this season, he didn’t give the performances, and people are very critical, and I think we have to back him. Everyone should back him and push him to get back to the levels he was last year.”