Darren Fletcher's debut as Manchester United's interim manager ended in frustration as his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
A Rollercoaster Night for the Caretaker Boss
Fletcher took temporary charge following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and watched his new team recover from a disastrous start. Burnley's Bashir Humphreys shocked the visitors by scoring inside the opening 13 minutes. United's response was led by striker Benjamin Sesko, who netted a second-half brace to turn the game on its head and put the Reds in front.
However, the lead was short-lived. Clarets substitute Jaidon Anthony struck an equaliser on the 66-minute mark, ensuring the points were shared. The result extends United's winless run to three matches, following previous failures against Wolves and Leeds United.
Fletcher's Crystal Clear Verdict on United's Failure
Speaking after the match, Fletcher did not hide his disappointment, bluntly stating his team had "blown two vital points." He pointed to United's profligacy in front of goal as the primary cause for the draw.
"We put in a performance that should have won the match," said Fletcher. "We created a lot of chances. I thought we started slow but improved. We scored two fantastic goals, but there is still a lot to work on. It was about them highlighting themselves, showcasing themselves as players. It wasn't perfect but there were a lot of good things. But we have got to score more goals."
Burnley's Relief and a Massive Point
In contrast, Burnley manager Scott Parker hailed his team's character after a difficult weekend. He described the draw as a significant result in their Premier League campaign.
"What the team demanded of itself was right up there," Parker stated. "It's a great reaction from the weekend. We got back to what we need to bring to a game of Premier League football. It's a big point for us. A massive point. It showed the character of the team in adversity. We stood up."
The draw leaves Manchester United with immediate work to do under Fletcher's stewardship, as the search for a permanent manager continues. The interim boss will be demanding a sharper cutting edge from his players in the fixtures ahead.
