Darren Fletcher’s key decision vs Burnley as Man Utd embarrassed by relegation battlers

Manchester United’s post-Amorim era started with a 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Burnley – and it could have been so much worse

It’s not quite a new era just yet at Manchester United – but after the curtain closed on Ruben Amorim’s tenure, Darren Fletcher’s dress rehearsal couldn’t have got off to a worse start.

This was a United with Amorim’s blueprint all over the tactics, and the Red Devils were behind 13 minutes into Fletcher’s reign against a side that hadn’t hit the front in a Premier League clash since October.

And it was the Clarets that had their tails up as United’s week looked to be going from bad to worse. However, after a team-talk from Fletcher during the break, a rejuvenated United emerged.

They weren’t world beaters, but United looked like a team that could the match as Benjamin Sesko proved the United shirt might just be starting to fit him.

The Slovenian superstar netted a brace to turn the game on its head. However, United post Sir Alex Ferguson are United post Sir Alex Ferguson – and Fletcher’s key team-talk was undone six minutes after Sesko’s second.

Jaidon Anthony, once of United’s bitter rivals Leeds, picked up the ball on the edge of the area, ducked and weaved inside and curled the ball into the far corner.

Shea Lacey was a bright spark off the bench – but the bottom line it’s more dropped points for United, who are starting to slide down the table.

It’s three draws on the bounce for the Red Devils, all against team’s battling relegation this season – and it’s hard to say they deserved to win any of them.

It’s FA Cup weekend now for the Red Devils, before a Manchester derby with local rivals Manchester City, who drew themselves on Wednesday evening.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said: “Manchester United were better in the second half but they will be really disappointed with the second goal. They have to defend it better

“It is another two points dropped against teams near the bottom of the league. They have dropped so many points in the last few weeks.”

He added: “United keep missing opportunities to go into fourth place.”