Burnley 2-2 Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko scores twice as Darren Fletcher's Red Devils held in electric draw | OneFootball

A spirited first outing under the interim head coach, but far from a perfect one

Manchester United began life after Ruben Amorim with a 2-2 draw at struggling Burnley as substitute Jaidon Anthony’s strike denied Darren Fletcher victory in his first match as interim boss.

The Clarets’ winless run stretches to a 12th match but it is a better result for them than United, whose fans held up a “Jim can’t fix this” banner before kick-off Turf Moor – aimed at co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.

Manchester United fans hold up a sign protesting against Sir Jim Ratcliffe before kick-off

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Fletcher confirmed post-match that he will be in charge for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton, but it remains to be seen how long he will remain in his interim post after that as talks continue with leading candidates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick.

That duo’s names were chanted by the away end during the early stages before a rendition of “Darren Fletcher, football genius.”

The former Scotland and United midfielder opted for a more familiar back four formation, doing away with Amorim’s much-discussed three-man defence, but his side would pay for a cumbersome start in the 13th minute.

Lackadaisical Casemiro failed to track Bashir Humphreys’ run into the box and his cross took a wicked deflection off Heaven, with the ball looping beyond United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

It was the first time Burnley had been ahead since November 8 and United took a further 10 minutes to show any kind of response.

Sesko saw a simple header saved and Matheus Cunha was denied a headed leveller by an exceptional goal-line clearance by Humphreys, with Lisandro Martinez soon finding the back of the net from a corner.

The Argentine defender coolly struck home during a penalty box melee but was adjudged to have fouled Kyle Walker in the build-up – a soft-looking on-field decision ratified by VAR Craig Pawson.

United were now on top, with Martin Dubravka saving an overly-relaxed Sesko strike before brilliantly tipping over his header.

The visitors continued to press before the break, Manuel Ugarte striking wide and Cunha finding himself denied again, before Maxime Esteve got back in the nick of time to stop Patrick Dorgu’s clipped effort on the line.

Burnley’s Maxime Esteve makes a crucial goal-line clearance in first-half stoppage time

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Burnley held out until the break, only to be pegged back five minutes into the second half when Bruno Fernandes played a brilliant pass through to Sesko, who swung a smart first-time strike past Dubravka.

The returning skipper had the bit between his teeth and went close to giving United a 55th-minute lead when bringing down a long Martinez ball and hitting the near post.

Benjamin Sesko draws United level with his first goal of the match

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Heaven somehow nodded a free header wide of the same upright from a Fernandes corner moments later, before United’s second of the game arrived in the 60th minute.

Dorgu swung over a great cross from the left and Sesko met the ball with a sublime first-time finish. United’s outfield players huddled together in celebration.

Fernandes was replaced almost immediately afterwards, in light of his recent injury woes, and Burnley soon punished Fletcher’s side.

United were too passive in their defending, culminating in second-half sub Anthony cutting away from Martinez and scoring just inside the box with an excellent left-footed strike in the 66th minute.

Fletcher turned to his bench as United pushed for a winner. Leny Yoro was denied and fellow replacement Shea Lacey rifled an outstanding effort against the crossbar.

Shea Lacey reacts after hitting the crossbar late on

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The 18-year-old, making just his second senior appearance for the club, again went close in stoppage time but there was to be no late drama as he rifled the ball wide narrowly wide of the mark.