Only Bruno Fernandes’ star power prevented Manchester United from suffering their fourth straight loss as their inconsistent start to the season persisted.

United has been formless, aimless, injury-prone, and incapable of winning during this downturn. Three points haven’t been theirs since Erik ten Hag’s ineffective team overcame Nottingham Forest 3-2 in late August after turning around a 2-0 deficit.

Abdoulaye Doucouré and Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrate Everton’s third goal.

Everton wins its first Premier League game thanks to a Calvert-Lewin goal, which defeats Brentford.

Learn more.

No longer: despite this victory’s ugly and weak showing, the management, appropriately, showed no emotion. We were aware that victory in this contest was essential. “On the field, the team talked. The characters were visible in the changing area. Excellent goal, tremendous, amazing pass, and excellent movement.

It was. Elegant Jonny Evans, making his 200th appearance for United, played a lovely left-footed pass into Fernandes, whose volley from a sharp angle along the right was a mercilessly performed work of art.

Burnley attacked United on Saturday night, frequently along the flanks. When Marcus Rashford gave up pursuing Connor Roberts, the No. 14 dropped a cross that Zeki Amdouni headed down and André Onana dove to the right to avoid. After that, the turbo-heeled Luca Koleosho surged to the left, causing Diogo Dalot to fall and enter the book.

United were quickly breached, following the previous pattern. The next time Amdouni shot, it was from behind the opposing defense. Burnley’s center-forward was able to miss the left post and United was able to survive.

Hannibal Mejbri, a No. 10, and the 35-year-old Evans were the results of Ten Hag’s latest reorganization of his weakened squad; the Northern Irishman was filling in for Lisandro Martnez, the newest victim of injury for United (due to an unimportant, unidentified problem).

Mejbri inserted two teammates: Rashford, who missed from close range, and Rasmus Hjlund, whose close control also lacked finesse. Evans’ first United appearance since a 1-0 victory at Newcastle in March 2015 was initially marred by disappointment as Tony Harrington disallowed a header from Sergio Reguilón’s corner after consulting the pitchside monitor.

This was true since James Trafford was hindered by an offside Hjlund (a situation identical to Nathan Aké’s goal against Fulham that was mistakenly permitted when Manuel Akanji was in the Dane’s place), but the real story was how ordinary United were.

Numerous passes were made during one phase, but a lack of creativity caused them to retreat from Burnley area to close to the goal, where Onana was tapped in. The goalkeeper hoofed upfield, losing the ball and the opportunity.

André Onana blocks a shot from Jacob Bruun Larsen at Turf Moor. Image courtesy of Lewis Storey/Getty ImagesThe solution to this was Fernandes’ goal, which connected with Evans’ chip over the defense and sailed past Trafford to his right, giving United the lead at the break.United faced a crucial 45 minutes as a worn-out team in need of victory.

But because of their aimless play, Burnley continued to pose a threat. The backline of Dalot-Victor Lindelöf-Evans-Reguilón was one half-decent home move away from being embarrassed as Scott McTominay and Casemiro were helpless, unable to manage the visitors’ midfield.

Best to attack, therefore McTominay and Mejbri’s fine work in Burnley’s area set up Dalot for a ball that was flashing across the field that Hjlund chose not to take a chance on.

However, the following play from McTominay was a ridiculous Cruyff turn on the fringe of his area right into trouble, and the following play from Dalot was a wild crossfield pass that went to a claret jersey and caused Ten Hag to stamp in rage.A Rashford knock-down for Hjlund that resulted in a corner was a better option from United.

However, this was the result of a counterattack rather than a well-executed pass-and-move, and after less than an hour, United were already in a situation where they were almost hanging on.

Evans shown bravery by stopping Jay Rodriguez while ramming into Onana, although both men were unharmed. This brought Vincent Kompany’s men to the scene.Reguilón had already been ordered to leave.

Ten Hag said, “You see the spirit in the team. He was sick but wanted to play.Foo Fighters’ “It’s Times Like These You Learn to Live Again” is a popular pre-game music at Turf Moor with the line, “It’s Times Like These You learn to live again.” United is about to accomplish this once more, but Burnley needs to be revived.We will get our chance, Kompany remarked. It must, and soon.

.

.

.

.

.