Darren Fletcher, was denied victory on his first game as Interim head coach of Manchester United as Jaidon Anthony’s fine strike earned Burnley a 2-2 draw in the Premier League 2025/26 match on Wednesday 7 January, 2026 at Turf Moor.
A brace by Benjamin Sesko in the second 45 minutes had turned the showdown around after Ayden Heaven had struck the back of his own net.
However, Burnley, Premier League strugglers, netted the leveller as the visitors failed to grab the chance to go fourth just two days after the sacking of Portuguese manager, Ruben Amorim.
19-year old Heaven helped the hosts go in front in the 13th minute after hitting the back of his own net, but, Manchester United fought back and levelled through Sesko in the 50th minute after midfielder, Bruno Fernandes, had provided.
In the 60th minute, Patrick Dorgu’s assist was well converted by Sesko to place United in front, but, the Clarets equalized through Anthony in the 66th minute.
Burnley did not record a shot on target in the first 45 minutes but they did not need one to be ahead at the break.
Fletcher’s Reds playing a 4-2-3-1 formation had several chances to level it up before the end of the first half, but, Sesko had chances saved by goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Argentine Defender, Lisandro Martinez, had a goal disallowed. At the interval, Fletcher switched Matheus Cunha and Fernandes which brought some positive results with the captain assisting Sesko’s equalizer.
The result is a third straight draw for Manchester United against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and now Burnley.
Result:
| Premier League 2025/26 – Wednesday 7 January, 2026 |
| AFC Bournemouth 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur |
| Brentford 3-0 Sunderland |
| Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa |
| Everton 1-1 Wolves |
| Fulham 2-1 Chelsea |
| Manchester City 1-1 Brighton |
| Burnley 2-2 Manchester United |
| Newcastle United 4-3 Leeds United |
Following the draw, at his press conference, manager of Burnley, Scott Parker, said: “Everything I demanded of the team and the team demanded of themselves was there. I wanted a reaction. We were bitterly disappointed by the overall performance and what we produced at Brighton.
“This was getting back to what we need to bring to a Premier League game of football.”
Photo: Manchester United Interim Manager and former midfielder, Darren Fletcher | Getty Images
