Every word from Darren Fletcher’s Burnley post-match press conference | OneFootball

Manchester United got the post-Ruben Amorim era off to a disappointing start, being held to a 2-2 draw away at Turf Moor against relegation contenders Burnley on Wednesday.

It was not all doom and gloom, as interim boss Darren Fletcher had the team playing a more attacking game, as the stats show. The former midfielder hinted at the same during the post-match press conference.

“I think they put in a performance that should’ve won the match, created chances, had plenty of shots, goal line clearances, disallowed goal, not sure why, from the Martinez foul.

“So if you look at it from that context, shots, domination of the game, we should win the match.”

Complete domination, yet unlucky result

It was a slow start but the visitors slowly ramped up the pressure. And it ultimately paid dividends in the second half.

Fletcher revealed that he challenged the players to up their game in the second half and the team responded brilliantly, which resulted in two goals from Benjamin Sesko in the space of 10 minutes.

“I challenged the players at half time, they had more levels in them, and they produced that and scored two fantastic goals. Still lots to work on, but I’m really pleased of how they implemented what I asked of them in such a short space of time.

“It was about them being proactive in the attack, go and highlight yourselves and show what you’re all about as individuals and players. Like I said it wasn’t perfect but there were a lot of good things, barring the start.”

Words of praise for Sesko

He had words of praise for the Slovenian who overcame a rough patch of form to grab a brace.

“I sat down with him yesterday and showed him videos of his movement, as you said, and how the opportunities are going to come.

“He has to just keep believing, keep making the runs. The rest of the team have to look for him more as well and like with all strikers, once you get that first goal, you hit the back of the net, it builds your confidence and hopefully they start flooding in from there.

“I think everyone can see his qualities. I thought he was fantastic tonight. I thought he led the line really well and maybe he could have gone on and had a hat-trick as well.

On Bruno’s substitution

“So it’s a real positive night for him and definitely probably the biggest positive from the night really is his two goals and hopefully that’s good for Manchester United’s future.”

Things went downhill when skipper Bruno Fernandes was subbed off. And as the Scotsman confirmed, that was always the plan as the medical team and coaches did not want to risk him given his importance to the team.

The Portugal international had suffered a hamstring injury, but he has recovered well in advance of what was initially expected.

“It was planned before the game and we’d discussed it. 45 minutes was mentioned, 60 minutes, and I think we had agreed that 60 was probably a push.

Giving up easy goals

“I didn’t want to take Bruno Fernandes off in that game, but that was a plan from the club, from the medical, from the coaches. Bruno had an injury that we have to respect and it’s a long season as well, so it’s disappointing, but that was a plan before the game and we knew that was going to happen.”

Once again, the trend of letting a lead slip late on reared its ugly head, and Fletcher refused to blame the defence, instead urging his players to work in tandem to arrest the slide.

“I think we’ve proved this season we give up goals too easily. I think there is a tactical element when when you’re used to playing a back four, then to a back five. It is different, more challenges, more space to cover.

“We defend as a team, so it’s not only just the defenders, it starts at the front, then the midfield. It’s the whole team that defends. We attack as a full team and defend as a whole team, so we can’t just level the criticism at the defenders. As a team we need to improve in defending and not conceding as many goals.”

Darren Fletcher to remain in charge for Brighton

He also revealed that he will be once again managing the team for the FA Cup tie on Sunday against Brighton. There were talks that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, along with Michael Carrick, would be installed in charge before that.

But that does not seem to be the case. “They’ve informed me they’d like me to take the team for Sunday.

“There was a feeling that might have been the case from Monday, but we wanted to focus on Burnley. I’m tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes to that now.”

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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