Ten Hag thinks United's win over Burnley marked a turning point in the season.

Bruno Fernandes' incredible goal on Saturday ended Manchester United's three-game losing streak, and Erik ten Hag thinks the team's 1-0 victory over Burnley could mark a turning point in a difficult season.

 

Just before halftime, the United captain produced a brilliant moment that would win the game, volleying a long pass from Jonny Evans.

The Red Devils' victory moves them up to eighth place in the Premier League standings and relieves some of the manager Ten Hag's growing pressure.

"Although we have only achieved one victory, we have observed a genuine camaraderie and teamwork within the locker room," Ten Hag remarked.

"What we've seen is that it's very difficult to play against this United when you have to defend with 11 and do it together."

Zeki Amdouni hit the post for Burnley and forced the under-fire Andre Onana into a fine save in the first-half, but the Clarets remain without a win on their return to the Premier League and sink to the bottom of the table.

"We're very calm. We knew we had a very tough start in terms of the fixtures," said Burnley boss Vincent Kompany.

"The start is difficult in terms of results but hopeful. I don't see any reason to think this team lack character or margin to grow."

United's injury crisis meant that 35-year old Evans started at center-back for the first time in his second spell at the club.

The Northern Irishman went on to play a major role at both ends as, on top of teeing up Fernandes' stunning strike, he had a goal ruled out and helped marshall a United defence that had conceded 10 times in their last three games.

"It was the best night of my life," said Evans, who won seven major honors in his first spell at Old Trafford.

"I loved every minute of it. That was my 200th game for United, I never thought I would ever reach that figure."

United goalkeeper Onana took responsibility for his side's 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek after a howler from the Cameroonian gifted the German giants the opening goal.

Onana got a much-needed confidence boost when he flew across his goal to prevent Amdouni's header giving Burnley the lead.

Amdouni came even closer moments later when he struck the inside of the post after a flowing Burnley move cut through the United defence.

Under the tutelage of former Manchester City captain Kompany, the Clarets play a very different brand of football to the physical side that survived six seasons in the top flight under Sean Dyche between 2016 and 2022.

However, they have only one point to show for their opening five games and a soft touch at set-pieces was nearly exploited by United.

Evans took advantage of some slack marking to head in Sergio Reguilon's corner, but Burnley were handed a reprieve by Rasmus Hojlund standing in an offside position in front of Trafford.

United had been guilty of being too pedestrian in their build up until Fernandes' bolt out of the blue eased Ten Hag's half-time team talk.

The Portuguese midfielder hit Evans' long cross-field pass flush on the volley and arrowed the ball into the bottom corner.

Chances were scarce at both ends in the second-half.

But the three points were all that mattered for United to lift the gloom over Old Trafford and they held out for a gritty win that could be the spark to turn their season around.

RESULTS

Brentford 1 (Jensen 28) Everton 3 (Doucoure 6, Tarkowski 67, Calvert-Lewin 71)

Burnley 0 Man Utd 1 (Fernandes 45)