'Miserable season' - National media react after Manchester United drop points against Burnley

Manchester United drew 1-1 at home to Burnley on Saturday after conceding another late goal to drop more points.

Antony gave Erik ten Hag's side the lead with ten minutes of normal time remaining to put United on course for three points against their relegation-battling opponents. But the Clarets equalised late on after referee John Brooks awarded a penalty after consulting VAR following an Andre Onana error.

The result leaves United sixth in the table with seventh-placed Newcastle just a point behind after their 5-1 win at home to Sheffield United. Below is what some of the national media made of Saturday's game...

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Ian Whittell of the Times wrote: "Antony, the Brazilian winger whose miserable season has reflected so many of the problems to beset Manchester United and their manager Erik ten Hag, scored his first league goal in over 12 months, only for his side to drop yet more points in disappointing fashion.

"VAR spotted that André Onana had punched Zeki Amdouni in the head as he attempted to deal with a frantic late Burnley attack, a decision that looked clear to the referee John Brooks once he visited his pitchside monitor. Amdouni, a substitute, recovered and converted the 87th-minute penalty himself to keep alive Burnley’s faint hopes of avoiding relegation.

"It had appeared that Antony’s first goal in the Premier League since April 16 last year would be enough to secure all three points after he pounced on a mistake by Sander Berge and advanced before converting with an excellent left-foot finish on 79 minutes."

Jamie Jackson of the Guardian wrote: "After yet another late Manchester United capitulation, Erik ten Hag invoked a rare trophyless Sir Alex Ferguson vintage to try to explain it. The Dutchman compared his work to that of the rebuild of 2004‑05, at the start of which a 19‑year‑old Wayne Rooney was signed and Darren Fletcher, 21, was in his second season as an ­established first-team player.

"Within two years United were champions and the ­following season they retained the title and won the Champions League.

"A close-to-tumbling-over Antony had appeared to be United’s hero against Burnley, his strike hitting the back of Arijanet Muric’s net with the clock showing 79 minutes. This came after the winger intercepted Sander Berge’s loose pass near halfway and ran in. The Norwegian chased back and pushed him, the finish coming as he fought to keep his footing."

James Ducker of the Telegraph wrote: "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."

Samuel Luckhurst of MEN Sport wrote: "In a week when Manchester United gagged journalists for airing a negative opinion, they could not silence their supporters after a negative result.

"There were boos during this stalemate and boos at full-time. A Burnley analyst beat the desk sorrowfully at full-time. The second-from-bottom team racked up 16 efforts on the United goal and had as many memorable opportunities as their hosts. Burnley also completed 40 more passes.

"Two draws and one win (excluding penalty shootouts) against the two poorest teams in the Premier League and a Championship side is an unflattering look for United and their embattled manager."