Ruben Amorim was exhausted as he reclined back with his feet up in his dugout. Then he looked across at the fans. Manchester United's destiny rested on a single goal against Burnley after they chose not to watch 26 penalties at Grimsby.
In the 97th minute of a 3-2 triumph, Bruno Fernandes, who appeared less anxious than his boss, hammered it under Martin Dubravka. This season, United, the team that boasts about winning "the lot," had finally won a match. They took the difficult—possibly absurd—route. However, a story of missed penalties at Grimsby and rescinded penalties in Manchester served as a reminder that Fernandes had the necessary fortitude and mindset. He scored twice at the Blundell Park shootout, but last week he was on fire against Fulham. Amorim needed the victory because it was only his ninth in 30 league games.