Darren Fletcher’s interim debut ends in entertaining 2-2 draw despite a brace by Benjamin Sesko at Turf Moor.
Darren Fletcher’s Manchester United held by Burnley despite Sesko double.
The chief executive, supporters, and interim manager of Manchester United all wanted a cathartic win to help the team move past the recent turmoil, but Darren Fletcher failed to deliver.
The big plus was Benjamin Sesko, whose two goals doubled his season tally. He said: “It’s been tough but now I finally did it. Now it’s just up to me and up to us to keep going like that.”
Burnley was on the verge of their first victory since October 26 when Ayden Heaven scored an own goal. However, before Jaidon Anthony scored a remarkable equaliser for Burnley, Sesko stepped up to suggest whoever takes over for Fletcher, who announced he will be in charge for the FA Cup match against Brighton on Sunday, may be poised to catch fire as the temporary man till the season ends.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the slight favourite, ahead of Michael Carrick, and Shea Lacey’s goal should encourage the next caretaker. Another United kid, Kobbie Mainoo, will also enter as a late replacement.
The question of whether Fletcher would betray a 25-year relationship with United by fielding the same sombre three-man defence was a joke following the gloomy Ruben Amorim period. Naturally, he didn’t; his configuration was a 4–2–3–1 with Bruno Fernandes, who was returning, as the 10 behind Sesko.
The skipper was the only substitute for Leny Yoro from Amorim’s most recent match, a 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday. Casemiro scored his first goal of Fletcher’s career after Fernandes’ deft skill in the buildup.
After thirteen minutes, Burnley scored via Heaven, and they showed absolutely little interest in their team.
The ball ricocheted over Senne Lammens after Bashir Humphreys sprinted into space down the left and pinged it in. The centre back then stuck a leg out. The camera immediately swung left to an expressionless Fletcher, followed by Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, the director of football and chief executive who fired Amorim on Monday.
United was unimaginative. Rare incursions resulted in Fernandes yelling at the motionless Sesko to dart in or Casemiro chipping into the Clarets’ territory without anyone noticing.
Next, craft from United. Casemiro headed across goal, Matheus Cunha got a Martin Dubravka save that resulted in a corner, and Fernandes hoisted a free kick into the box. Lisandro Martínez bundled home from Luke Shaw’s ball, but referee Stuart Attwell dismissed it because the centre-back was judged to have fouled Kyle Walker.
Fletcher had just forty-five minutes to change the course of the game. At the beginning of this, Martínez started a dynamic sequence that took United from defensive to attack and culminated with a Dorgu attempt. Fernandes slipped in Sesko, a 22-year-old who has battled since coming in the summer, with a right-foot blast past Dubravka in the following deadly move that included Heaven and Casemiro.
Fletcher was ecstatic by this and encouraged his team to do more. Yes, there was. United broke at a Hannibal Mejbri corner, the ball moved to the left, and Sesko was fed once more. This time, a corner attempt was unsuccessful, but before long, Fernandes was hitting a post as his team found its rhythm.
And an abundance of opportunities as well. After Dorgu’s run and cross from the left, Sesko struck again with a predatory, well timed low volley. Heaven, who had been left free at Fernandes’s corner, headed wide.
Sesko’s smile was just as radiant as Fletcher’s, the devoted supporter of United behind the Slovenian’s goal. However, Burnley took control of the situation when Anthony, a substitute, beat Lammens with an 18-yard peach that soared in high, turning away from Shaw and Martínez.
Sesko missed a fantastic opportunity to score the game-winning goal and a hat-trick from close range, while Lacey came dangerously close, making the outcome seem equitable for both teams.