Antony’s first goal of this season is worthless after Onana’s stupid action

Manchester United failed to defeat number nineteen Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday: 1-1. Antony scored his very first goal of this season in the Premier League in the final stages, but that was not enough for three points because André Onana gave away a penalty. Manager Erik ten Hag’s team remains sixth and is only one point ahead of number seven Newcastle United, which won 5-1 against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Burnley, which desperately needs the points in the fight against relegation, was close to 0-1 after just 20 seconds of play. Onana, however, prevented Datro Fofana from scoring. What followed was a flood of chances for Manchester United. Antony (twice), Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes (post) all failed to find the net.

In the closing stages of the entertaining first half, Burnley also came close to the opening goal a few times. Partly due to good goalkeeping from Onana, Manchester United did not go into the dressing room at the packed Old Trafford with a deficit. The task after the break was simple: score.

In the second half it also became clear that Manchester United is very vulnerable defensively. Burnley had the ball frequently, but was unable to take advantage of the weak spot at the home club. Antony had the floundering one Red Devils to make it 1-0, but his effort from close range was parried by Arijanet Muric.

The 1-0 for Manchester United still came. Antony took full advantage of the shooting in Burnley’s defense and pushed the ball into the bottom right corner while falling. The Brazilian striker celebrated his first Premier League goal of this season exuberantly: he put the ball under his shirt, perhaps indicating that he was going to become a father, and pointed to a Sonic the Hedgehog figure that was handed to him from the crowd.

Shortly afterwards, Ten Hag decided to have Eriksen replaced by Sofyan Amrabat. Manchester United cherished the lead and Antony seemed to be the match winner. Three minutes before the end, disaster struck for Ten Hag’s ailing team. Onana punched Fofana in the face during an aerial duel and the ball ended up on the spot after a VAR check.

Zeki Amdouni then left Onana without a chance from eleven meters, to the delight of the Burnley supporters in the corner of Old Trafford. Manchester United also seemed to be awarded a penalty in injury time when Antony’s cross hit the hand of a Burnley defender, but this time a VAR check was not forthcoming. Another frustrating afternoon for Ten Hag and associates.