Familiar problems returned to haunt Manchester United as they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night. In caretaker manager Darren Fletcher's first match since replacing the sacked Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils threw away a lead, highlighting the deep-rooted issues at the club.
Heaven's Costly Error and Formation Shift
The match began in the worst possible fashion for the visitors. After just 12 minutes, young defender Ayden Heaven was at fault for Burnley's opener. The 19-year-old centre-back reacted too slowly to danger down United's left, and in his attempt to intervene, he could only deflect a cross into his own net. This unfortunate moment made him, at 19 years and 107 days, the youngest United player to score a Premier League own goal.
Fletcher, one of Sir Alex Ferguson's favourite sons, immediately abandoned the 3-4-3 system favoured by the departed Amorim, reverting to a back four. However, the tactical change did little to initially steady the ship against a Burnley side without a win since October.
The Brilliance and Burden of Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United's fortunes turned in the second half, largely thanks to the enduring class of captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese maestro, who started despite not being fully fit, delivered a moment of sheer quality. His exquisite slide-rule pass sent Benjamin Sesko clear, allowing the striker to fire United level.
Sesko then added a second to put United ahead, but the narrative took a decisive turn on the hour mark. Fernandes, who had given his all for 60 minutes just a day after an emotional farewell meeting with Amorim's assistant, was substituted. His departure had an immediate and profound effect.
United Collapse Without Their Captain
Within six minutes of Fernandes leaving the pitch, Burnley were level. Jaidon Anthony curled a stunning strike into the top corner to make it 2-2. While the goal itself was a moment of individual brilliance, it followed a visible drop in United's composure and authority. The team shrunk, becoming sloppy in possession and retreating towards their own goal, emboldening the relegation-threatened hosts.
This episode laid bare United's crippling over-reliance on their captain. His long-term future is again under scrutiny following Amorim's exit and with interest from Saudi Arabia lingering. The performance without him on the pitch, mirroring recent struggles like the dismal draw with Wolves, posed a stark question to the club's hierarchy about their plans for a post-Fernandes era.
Elsewhere, striker Benjamin Sesko's performance was a tale of clinical finishing mixed with wastefulness. The Slovenian's two goals were taken with supreme confidence, but he also managed seven shots on target – more than any player in a single Premier League game this season – and should have secured a match-winning hat-trick with greater composure.
The result leaves United's interim leadership with much to ponder. While the goals of Sesko offer promise, the defensive lapse from Heaven and, most significantly, the team's dependency on Bruno Fernandes are issues that will define their season, regardless of who is in the dugout.
