TURF MOOR — Even Ralf Rangnick won his first game in charge. Having sought permission from Sir Alex Ferguson to attend, all eyes were on Darren Fletcher as he began what will be his rather short tenure with a rather favourable-looking fixture.
With captain Bruno Fernandes back, deployed in a No 10 role having been stifled deeper in midfield under Ruben Amorim, all Fletcher had to do was beat a Burnley team without a Premier League win in 11 – one off a club record. And be better than his predecessor, statistically the worst United manager in Premier League history.
Away supporters at a bitterly cold Turf Moor couldn’t make their minds up. After unveiling banner, in rather poor taste, insisting “Jim can’t fix this”, the first song in their repertoire was for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Next up was Michael Carrick. Then Fletcher. All three can’t be the next interim coach, can they? United’s penchant for shoehorning former greats into everything they do knows no bounds.
Having binned Amorim’s infamous 3-4-3 system, Fletcher took the obvious path to success. Nothing at Manchester United, however, turns out as it should.
Despite having 30 shots to Burnley’s seven, United could still only manage a draw. They hit the woodwork twice and found Martin Dubravka in inspired form, but that cannot act as an excuse, given the alarming pattern of results the Turf Moor stalemate continues.
Bruno
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 8, 2026Benjamin
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Unfathomably, United have dropped points against all of the Premier League’s bottom seven since the start of November. On six of those occasions, they have held the lead in the game.
There were myriad positives for Fletcher to take into negotiations over getting the interim role for the remainder of the season.
Benjamin Sesko doubled his tally for the season in 10 second-half minutes. The manner of the composed finishes the most pleasing element to his brace.
Patrick Dorgu continues to grow into an advanced role Amorim preferred the Dane in, Fernandes’ return into a more familiar No 10 role changes the complexion of the attack, while Shea Lacey, somewhat controversially overlooked by Fletcher’s predecessor, produced a thrilling cameo that almost resulted in a jaw-dropping winner.
It was how United conceded both goals against a far inferior Burnley which typified why they remain as far from their former grandeur than at any point in the post-Fergie wilderness years.
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In drawing Fletcher became the first of the post Ferguson interims not to win his first game. “I think it has been proved we give up goals too easily,” Fletcher said.
“There is a tactical element when you change from a back five but you defend as a team. It starts from the front, midfield, we attack from a full team and defend as a full team.
“We get 2-1 up and then I felt we were a bit passive again. We sat in a little bit and maybe we should have gone for the kill and gone for the third goal.”
Sitting back against a team 19th in the table is nothing to do with the coaching, formation or ability of the multi-faceted squad. It is psychological. Which has been United’s problem prior to Amorim’s arrival and doesn’t head off into the sunset with the departing, seemingly much-relieved, head coach.
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