Darren Fletcher Reflects On Manchester United Burnley Draw As Interim Boss

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Manchester United drew 2-2 with Burnley at Turf Moor, extending a run of three straight Premier League draws for the first time since December 2018. Interim head coach Darren Fletcher, appointed after Ruben Amorims dismissal on Monday, experienced a difficult first game in charge despite a strong second-half response.

The match opened badly for United when an Ayden Heaven own goal put Burnley ahead early. Benjamin Sesko then struck twice after half-time to turn the score around, before Jaidon Anthony rescued Burnley with a late long-range finish. Burnleys wait for a league win stretched to 12 games, equalling their longest Premier League drought.

Fletcher, who spent 11 years as a Manchester United player, described a mixture of pride and annoyance after taking the team for the first time. The occasion of leading United out and preparing the squad pleased Fletcher, yet the dropped points and failure to hold a lead clearly bothered the interim coach.

"Im disappointed we didnt win the game, I cant hide that," he told Sky Sports. "To be 1-0 down in the first half to come out and show that character in the second half to go 2-1 up but then to concede and not be able to get a third goal and go on and win 3-2, that's the disappointment. But in terms of the experience of leading the team out, preparing the team, the fans, the support everything, it was a pleasure, it was an honour."

Reports had suggested former Manchester United players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick were being considered for a caretaker role until the end of the season. Fletcher explained that discussions with the board mean responsibilities stay with Fletcher for now, at least through the upcoming FA Cup tie against Brighton.

He said: "I've spoken to the board and I'll be in charge for the Brighton game and we'll take it from there. It's one game at a time."

Manchester United vs Burnley manager views

On the Burnley side, Scott Parker took encouragement despite the continuing winless sequence, which now matches the clubs longest such Premier League run. Parker stressed that the reaction to the previous defeat against Brighton mattered most, highlighting the attitude and intensity that Burnley brought to this contest against Manchester United.

He told BBC Sport: "I demanded a reaction [after the defeat to Brighton] and every one of the players wanted that reaction as well. So we come off the back of a result at the weekend where we were hugely critical, me as well to the group, and the players as well. We let ourselves down at the weekend in a certain element that we need to bring to a game of football in the Premier League and we did that."

The draw leaves Fletcher balancing satisfaction with Uniteds second-half spirit against concern over missed chances and another dropped lead. Burnley gain a point and renewed belief after responding to criticism, while attention now shifts to Manchester Uniteds FA Cup meeting with Brighton, with Fletcher confirmed to remain in charge for that tie.