It felt like a huge victory. "A must-win game" was how Erik ten Hag described it and the visiting fans were in fine voice after the full-time whistle at Turf Moor, serenading unlikely hero Jonny Evans with songs they used to sing about Gary Neville and John O'Shea.
But strip away the emotion of getting a first away victory of the season and the feel-good factor of Evans' virtuoso display, and Manchester United's scrappy 1-0 win at Burnley felt less like a turning point for Erik ten Hag's side and more like a sign of how low they have sunk.
Beyond Bruno Fernandes' world-class volley, there was little to brag about from a disjointed and ugly win by the narrowest of margins over a team that have taken just one point from five matches since returning to the Premier League. Even though the three points were badly needed, United's abject performance in Lancashire showed how the club are in desperate need of an identity. Unless they find one, they will have precious few more moments to celebrate.