Manchester United’s bid to kick-start a new era under interim boss Darren Fletcher was a case of more of the same as Burnley, sitting 19th in the table with just three wins all season, held them to a dramatic 2-2 draw at a freezing Turf Moor. United looked to have taken control after a stirring second-half fightback, but a brilliant Burnley equaliser from Jaidon Anthony denied them all three points, and left Fletcher and the watching hierarchy frustrated in the club’s first match since moving on from Ruben Amorim.
United dominated possession in the early stages, playing with four at the back instead of Amorim’s preferred three, but fell behind to a freak goal in the 13th minute, when Ayden Heaven diverted a Bashir Humphreys cross into his own net. Turf Moor erupted, but it was United that had the better chances as the half wore on. Humphreys cleared off the line from a Matheus Cunha header, and Maxime Esteve also made a last-ditch clearance as Patrick Dorgu chipped the ball over Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal. A Lisandro Martinez goal was disallowed for a foul, which looked soft.
The breakthrough came early in the second half as the much-maligned Benjamin Šeško came up with a composed finish following a slick move orchestrated by Bruno Fernandes, who had just returned from a hamstring injury. United’s attacking intent was clear, and they doubled their advantage just ten minutes later when Šeško, unmarked, volleyed crisply home from a delicious Dorgu cross. But Anthony’s stunning strike into the top corner left Senne Lammens with no chance and reigniting the contest. The final twenty-odd minutes were tense. Shea Lacey, the academy product on as a late substitute, struck a fabulous curling effort that beat Dubravka but cannoned back off the crossbar and Burnley’s defence then held firm for a precious point.
United looked more cohesive going forward and Šeško’s goals were a huge fillip, but once again, they have failed to beat a struggling opponent. Fletcher will now take charge of Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton, while the higher-ups ponder whether to entrust the interim job to Michael Carrick, or to Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
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