Chris Sutton has sent Darren Fletcher a damning message as he predicts how Manchester United’s fixture against Burnley will play out on Wednesday evening.
Manchester United make the trip to Burnley on Wednesday night in unfamiliar circumstances after Rúben Amorim was dismissed from his position on Monday.
The decision followed a 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, after which the United head coach delivered a blistering post-match assessment, criticising the club’s board over a perceived lack of support and authority amid an inconsistent run of form.
In Amorim’s absence, Under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher is set to take charge on the touchline, with the potential for him to also oversee Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford.
United currently sit sixth in the Premier League standings, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, and remain in contention for Champions League qualification.
Sutton doesn’t fancy United regardless
Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton regularly predicts the weekend’s fixtures with BBC Sport, and in a damning message to Fletcher, he has claimed he doesn’t care who’s in charge, he feels a “bang average” United side will struggle to get a result against Burnley, regardless.
“It seemed like Ruben Amorim was poking the hierarchy at Manchester United with some of his cryptic comments over the weekend about doing his job without interference, and that always felt like the beginning of the end for me,” Sutton started.
“So, to see him sacked a couple of days later was no huge surprise – it was like Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea exit all over again – Amorim wanted to be put out of his Manchester misery, and the club obliged.
“Compared to last year, they had improved – but only because they were so bad then. This season has been OK, but United need to be more than OK. Burnley ran them close at Old Trafford earlier this season, when United needed a 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty to win 3-2.
“I can see this game being just as close because I just don’t fancy this United team, whoever is in charge. I get accused by a lot of United fans of having a dislike for them, but I just think they are bang average – that’s the reason I don’t go for them to win in these predictions a lot of the time.
“They are still bang average now Amorim has gone, which is why I think Burnley will get something here. I do have sympathy for Clarets boss Scott Parker because they have been OK too. They have just come up a little bit short when it comes to scoring goals, which is why wins have been in such short supply.”
Finally, Sutton concluded that the scoreline will be a 1-1 draw, with AI predicting a more positive 2-0 win for Fletcher’s Reds.
Injury returns will give United more bite
It has been no secret that United’s lack of attacking talent, due to both injury and absences for the Africa Cup of Nations, has severely hampered their flow, with the most recent tie against Leeds seeing Amorim field eight defensive-minded players.
But, Fletcher confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that both Fernandes and Mason Mount were now expected to return to the squad on Wednesday evening, having trained this week.
Although the Scot admitted that both players will receive “restricted” minutes, this will still be enough to make an impact, even if it’s from the bench.
There is little doubt that Fernandes will push to start the tie, and could play around 60 minutes if his recovery allows it, while Mount and possibly Joshua Zirkzee could come off the bench to provide extra venom and technical superiority if needed.
Either way, their returns, plus the returns of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo later this month once AFCON concludes, will be fantastic for whoever is appointed as United’s caretaker manager for the remainder of the campaign.
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