The game already came loaded with context for Manchester United. Not so much because of Burnley, but because of United themselves. It was the first match after the departure of Ruben Amorim, a decision that continues to divide opinion, but that for many people, myself included, was the right one, even if the timing was wrong. On the other side was a Burnley team in free fall, sitting 19th, winless in 11 matches and with miserable attacking numbers. Even so, it was not a simple game. The focus was clearly on United: to prove that the change made sense.
Darren Fletcher set the team up in a 4-2-3-1, which on its own already brought a small sense of relief. No three center backs, finally. Bruno Fernandes returned from injury and went back to his natural position as an attacking midfielder, where he is clearly a difference-maker.
The game kicked off and, as early as the 7th minute, Casemiro fired off a terrible shot. It was actually refreshing to see United without three center backs, with more players inside and more control of the ball. But it quickly became clear that defensive organization was still a problem. Burnley did not need much to create danger.
The goal came at a moment when Burnley had practically done nothing. A beautiful through ball from Hannibal, Humphreys crosses with far too much space, and Heaven ends up deflecting the ball into his own net. An own goal, poor defensive reading, and Casemiro also slow to close the space. Burnley were leading without a single shot on target, and United were once again in that familiar mode of wondering how this keeps happening to them.
From there on, United had more possession, but the question remained: what do they actually do with it? Casemiro missed another cross in the 21st minute, showing a clear lack of chemistry with Cunha. At 23 minutes, finally something positive: a cross from Bruno, Šeško heads it well, but straight down the middle. Even so, it was already clear that with Bruno, the game had a different idea.
Still, Šeško lost the ball too often, twice in less than a minute, and Burnley remained comfortable. At 27 minutes, Humphreys cleared Cunha’s header off the line. At 28, United even scored, but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Martínez on Walker. The scenario was surreal: zero shots on target for Burnley, a lead on the scoreboard, and a visibly nervous United.
The biggest issue was in midfield. United left a huge gap between the lines, a real highway for Burnley to exploit, especially down the left side, where they attacked repeatedly. At 41 minutes, Šeško missed again. A good run, he shifts onto his right foot and hits a weak, low shot straight at the goalkeeper. It became increasingly clear that his right foot is not his friend.
In the second half, Šeško’s first goal arrived. Bruno received the ball facing forward, lifted his head and played a perfect vertical pass straight through the two center backs. Šeško attacked the space with perfect timing and finished first time with his left foot, without hesitation. A simple goal, but a very telling one: intelligent movement, confidence in the finish and, above all, quality service.
The second goal was even more symbolic. With United on top, Dorgu broke forward down the left, delivered a well-measured cross and Šeško appeared in the right zone, attacking the near post aggressively. The finish was clean and full of conviction, completely different from the insecure striker seen in other matches. There was no improvisation here, only reading of the play, attacking space and composure. Two true center forward goals, made possible by a team that, for brief moments, actually functioned.
But that moment did not last long. Bruno Fernandes coming off took away what was keeping United organized. The team lost composure, lost connection and went back to playing on impulse. Burnley sensed it and grew back into the game. The equalizer came from a moment of individual quality, but also defensive permissiveness. Anthony received the ball at the edge of the box with no real pressure, had time to set himself and curl a shot into the top corner. It was a great goal, yes, but it came from a defense that was already in survival mode.
Post-match
A draw that ends up serving no one. United actually played a good attacking game, but that has a name: Bruno Fernandes. While he was on the pitch, there were ideas, through balls, tempo and confidence. Bruno goes off and the football disappears. Simple as that.
Šeško was clearly the positive note. Two goals, constant presence, confidence, and he finished like he never had before for Manchester United. Ironically, he showed more in 90 minutes without Amorim than in several matches with him. Credit to him, but also credit to finally having someone who can deliver quality passes.
Defensively? A disguised disaster. Heaven had one of those games to forget. When United needed to control the match, they conceded a beautiful goal from Anthony.
Burnley played their game: sit deep, suffer and take advantage of mistakes. And they succeeded. Not because they were brilliant, but because United never know how to kill games. Manchester United are better without three center backs, but they remain fragile.
Drawing against the team in 10th place after leading 2-1 is not a good result. There are positive signs, but the club is still far, very far, from being a serious team.