Sesko double not enough as United slump to another stalemate on Darren Fletcher's first game in charge
Burnley's Jaidon Anthony scores as cracking equaliser. pic: Nick Potts/PA
Having not been crowned Premier League champions since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Manchester United have spent the past 13 years seemingly in a perpetual state of flux.
They know they are a footballing behemoth and yes, size does matter. But, beyond preserving their status as one of the biggest sporting institutions on the planet, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fathom exactly what the 20-time title winners really want to be.
Forty-eight hours after Ruben Amorim became the latest victim of their chaotic search for someone capable of providing a sense of purpose and personality, the Portuguese’s interim replacement, another redoubtable Scot, discovered just how far standards have slipped at Old Trafford after watching United held to a draw by a Burnley side still seemingly destined for relegation only a season after being promoted.
Darren Fletcher, who collected 13 major trophies and made over 300 appearances under Ferguson’s tutelage, looked destined to begin his reign as caretaker with a much-needed victory after Benjamin Sesko’s brace cancelled-out Ayden Heaven’s own goal at the beginning of an intriguing contest.
But a clinical finish from Jaidon Anthony wrecked those ambitions and saw Scott Parker’s men secure the point their durability and determination probably deserved despite being bettered for long periods.
United clearly have many faults, both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Dispatching opponents fighting for survival is not usually among them however, with the the visitors triumphing in 23 and succumbing in only two of their last 36 league meetings against teams in the bottom three.
But too many lapses in concentration and often a lack of intensity proved costly as Anthony frustrated Fletcher’s hopes of dissuading Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his cohorts to prolong his time in the job.
There were early glimpses of the problems Amorim’s permanent replacement must solve in order to ensure United once again become a silverware collecting machine. Patrick Dorgu and Sesko conspired to wreck a promising attack by exchanging two poor quality passes.
Then, in the 13th minute, something even more telling happened. Humphreys benefited from a huge slice of good fortune when his cross deflected off the unfortunate Heaven and spiralled into the far corner of the net. But the former Chelsea defender would not have been in a position to deliver it had Casemiro, supposedly one of the most experienced players at Fletcher’s disposal, shown greater desire and urgency to check the centre-half’s run.
United gradually began to find some rhythm as the half wore on. Nevertheless, Sesko’s inability to hold the ball up saw some promising moves come to nothing.
When the Slovenian did show real conviction, the excellent Bashir Humphreys cleared one attempt off the line before another effort was ruled-out when referee Stuart Attwell noticed Lisandro Martinez had fouled Kyle Walker as they jostled for position in the area.
Despite entering the fixture having lost nine of their previous 11 outings and drawn the other two, Burnley showed flashes of genuine quality and an ability to create openings. Marcus Edwards sliced his way through United’s midfield and sent Lucas Pires darting along the flank but the Brazilian’s angled shot flew just wide of Senne Lammens’ far post.
On the cusp of the interval, Sesko finally showed the talent which persuaded United to invest so heavily in his services with a towering header. Martin Dubravka produced a superb save to divert it over the crossbar, moments before Maxime Esteve denied Dorgu with an even better block.
Despite going close on several occasions, Sesko had been largely ineffective. But United had been wrestling more and more control so, when he restored parity five minutes after the restart, it was no great surprise.
Sesko’s finish, after ghosting in between two markers, was admittedly impressive. Nevertheless a perfectly weighted pass from Fernandes was responsible for carving a chance it was almost impossible to miss.
After being dragged back level, Burnley’s confidence visibly drained. Fernandes was denied by the woodwork and Heaven should have punished another lapse by edging United in front but miscalculated his angles.
Suddenly looking like a star in the making, Sesko turned the contest on its head after tracking Dorgu’s 60th minute pass.
Only six later, however, Burnley’s anguish turned to joy when Anthony converted their first shot on target in eye-catching fashion having combined with Edwards. The strike came out of nowhere, with United in the ascendancy. But Lammens was left grasping at thin air, just like Dubravka when he tried to get a hand on Sesko’s second, as the substitute rifled the ball into the back of his net.
Shea Lacey twice went close from range but Burnley held on.
M Dubravka 6; B Humphreys 8, M Esteve 6, J Laurent 6; L Pires 7, Florentino 6, L Ugochukwu 7, K Walker 6; H Mejbri 6 (J Anthony 58, 7), M Edwards 7 (O Sonne 92); A Broja 6 (L Foster 75, 6).
A Barnes, J Bruun Larsen, H Ekdal, O Hartman, L Tchaouna, M Weiss.
S Lammens 6; D Dalot 6, A Heaven 7 (L Yoro 61, 6), L Martinez 6, L Shaw 6; M Ugarte 6 (S Lacey 84), Casemiro 6 (K Mainoo 74, 6); P Dorgu 6, B Fernandes 7 (M Mount 61, 6), M Cunha 7 (J Zirkzee 74), B Sesko 7.
A Bayindir, J Fletcher, H Maguire, T Malacia.
Stuart Attwell, 7.
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