Manchester United failed to secure three points as Darren Fletcher’s Reds could not capitalise on Benjamin Šeško’s Premier League brace against Burnley on Wednesday evening.
Interim boss Darren Fletcher chose to reinstate Bruno Fernandes amid the captain’s return from injury as Manchester United travelled to face Burnley in the Premier League on a cold Wednesday evening up north.
The tie, the side’s first since Rúben Amorim’s sacking on Monday morning, started with the away side trying to find their feet, but Burnley struck first as Bashir Humphreys struck Ayden Heaven and looped over Senne Lammens for an unfortunate own goal.
Matheus Cunha had a header cleared off the line, and Lisandro Martínez had a goal denied for a foul as United tried to get back into the game. Benjamin Šeško then had a shot saved, and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu saw a shot cleared off the line. At half-time, Burnley had somehow kept their lead.
Early in the second half, Šeško finally got his goal as he finished off a great Bruno Fernandes pass, and then put Fletcher’s side ahead with a lovely first-time finish. However, an even better strike from Jaidon Anthony drew the game level with 25 minutes still to play.
Despite United throwing on multiple attacking players and youngster Shea Lacey hitting the bar, the Reds were unable to break down Scott Parker’s home team, and will be disappointed to see yet another lead slip into a 2-2 draw.
#1 – How Fletcher set up was odd
Fletcher set up his Reds with a traditional back four, two defensive midfielders, and a front four including Fernandes.
However, the interesting decision was to place Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu on the left, with Matheus Cunha on the right, although the latter floated into the middle when needed. United created chances, but felt conjected.
In the second half, a change saw Cunha permanently move to a more central role, and it paid off, with United looking much more front-footed. However, once Fernandes exited the field, United’s creativity dropped.
#2 – Aiming for Šeško helps the striker
It may be an overly obvious point, but it was no surprise that Šeško looked much better when the system was more designed to feed him, and that he finally had the quality of Fernandes back behind him.
In the second half, Šeško was able to start showing off his finishing skills, taking both of his shots first time and improving in his movement.
He had more shots on target against Burnley than any other player across the Premier League this season (7), and took his moments well. If he can consistently make more evasive movements, his quality could be endless.
#3 – An increase in chance creation is evident with Bruno
With United playing a back four featuring four distinct players in attacking areas and Fernandes back on the pitch, the side created many more chances.
As mentioned above, when playing and creating around No. 30, Šeško was always going to look better, and with the United captain on the field for his 60 minutes, chances were abundant.
However, once the Portuguese midfielder came off, this dropped dramatically, with United having to rely on the likes of Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, and Joshua Zirkzee, all of whom prefer to play in tight spaces with quick combinations, which did not quite suit the game in the same way.
#4 – Returns are needed, badly
Seeing Fernandes return from injury is a huge positive for United. He makes the side tick and is essential on the pitch. Still, more are needed, namely the pending returns of Amad and Bryan Mbuemo from the Africa Cup of Nations in the coming weeks.
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With United no longer playing in a back-three system, it’s unclear where the duo will play, but there is zero doubt that once they return, United’s attacking threat will grow tenfold, and it’s needed.
However, Lacey’s brilliant impression in the final minutes was positive, and he should be handed a start against Brighton on the weekend. He, Fernandes, and Šeško are the only ones who can hold their head high for United at Turf Moor.
#5 – Another Champions League chance squandered
With Chelsea having lost 2-1 against Fulham earlier on Wednesday evening, three points against Burnley would have seen United leapfrog both the Blues and Liverpool into 4th in the Premier League table.
But, missed chances and moments of sloppy defending once again squandered the side’s chances of reaching what the side’s goal is at the end of the season.
United have now dropped 22 points against sides lower than them in the Premier League table this season, including every single one of the bottom seven sides in the competition. It’s not good enough.
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