Deep into stoppage time, with the score tied at 2-2, referee Sam Barrott awarded Man Utd a penalty after consulting with VAR Stuart Attwell. Instead of celebrating, Amorim retreated to his seat in the technical area, propped his feet up on the wall, and sighed. Assistant Carlos Fernandes looked at him in apparent surprise before getting up to watch the Man Utd captain prepare for the spot-kick.

Amorim's expression just before Bruno Fernandes' penalty secured a 3-2 win for Man Utd against Burnley at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK, in the third round of the Premier League on 30/8/2025. Screenshot.

Amorim, eyes turned skyward, appeared despondent as Fernandes struck a low penalty to the left, sealing a 3-2 victory for Man Utd. This marked the Red Devils' first win of the new season after three matches without a victory across all competitions.

The victory was hard-fought, and Amorim didn't celebrate any of the goals. The home side opened the scoring with an own goal from Josh Cullen, but Burnley twice equalized, putting Man Utd on the back foot. Only thanks to Jaidon Anthony's needless foul on Amad Diallo did Amorim's men secure the three points at Old Trafford.

After the match, Amorim admitted he never watches his players take penalties live. "I prefer to gauge the reaction of the fans," he said. "I was confident Bruno wouldn't miss twice in a row."

In the second round, Fernandes had skied a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage. His 90% penalty conversion rate gave Amorim confidence he wouldn't miss against Burnley.

Amorim's reaction before Fernandes' penalty.

On social media, many fans interpreted Amorim's behavior as anxiety and a lack of confidence. "In difficult moments, players need to see calmness from their manager. But Amorim turned away, looking like he couldn't face the crucial moment", commented @MUnitedTruth on X.

@kr11merc replied: "Amorim looked like he had zero confidence and no control over the team."

@Lixogram wrote: "I didn't like Amorim's gestures. I've never seen a manager under so much pressure throughout the game, constantly pacing back and forth. A manager needs to instill confidence in their players. Stay calm, watch the game unfold, and don't avoid it."

During the penalty shootout loss to fourth-tier Grimsby Town in the second round of the English League Cup, Amorim didn't watch any of Man Utd's 13 penalties. He sat in the technical area, hands clasped, head bowed. In that match, new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both missed. This time, Fernandes succeeded.

Amorim's reaction after Mbeumo's goal.

When Mbeumo made it 2-1 against Burnley, Amorim repeatedly shook his head with an angry expression, perhaps still displeased by the goal conceded two minutes earlier. However, Amorim's reactions have become the subject of online jokes. Arsenal fan throwaway72926320 wrote on Reddit, impersonating Amorim: "Damn it, I have to manage this team again".

Hoang An (TalkSport)