Manchester United

Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "The fact we have drawn is a massive disappointment. If you look at the context of the game - the chances we created, goalline clearances, a disallowed goal, 30 shots, lots of attacking play - we created more than enough to win."

On the disallowed goal: "It just looked like normal things that happen at every corner so it's surprising that decision was given. If you look at the context of the Premier League this season and the physicality that goes into set-pieces, I have seen way worse on almost every set-piece, so I am massively surprised the referee has got involved there. It's something we have to accept but there was a lot of frustration."

On Benjamin Sesko's two goals: "I was so happy for him. I spoke to him yesterday and we presented a video showing his movement and showing his goals - just showing how it is coming and he needs to keep believing and the players need to get more service to him. He did that tonight and scored two great goals. A real positive night for Ben.

"He had other opportunities - a header, another snapshot. The team is disappointed with a point, but in terms of a personal level hopefully he can kick on from that now."

Sesko, speaking to BBC Match of the Day on scoring twice: "It helps me for my confidence but it's most important to help the team in every single situation. It's been tough but now I finally did it and I'm happy I could help the team. Now it's just up to me and up to us to keep going like that.

"I think the goal happens with the movements. I know I have great players beside me - it's just up to me to make good movement at the right time."

On how much confidence this gives him: "Definitely a lot, especially because, as a striker, it's important to have a great game and score some goals. Even more important now is I have more confidence than before."

Did you know?

• Sesko's two goals were as many as he had scored in his first 16 Premier League appearances for United.

• At 19 years and 107 days, Ayden Heaven became the youngest Manchester United player to score an own goal in the Premier League.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Burnley's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Hannibal Mejbri starts against his former club as Burnley boss Scott Parker makes four changes.

Maxime Esteve, Marcus Edwards and Lesley Ugochukwu are also included while striker Lyle Foster is on the bench after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with South Africa.

Burnley are desperate for a victory to end an awful run of two points and nine defeats from their last 11 games.

Burnley XI: Dubravka, Walker, Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys, Ugochukwu, Lucas Pires, Florentino, Mejbri, Edwards, Broja.

Substitutes: Weiss, Hartman, Larsen, Foster, Anthony, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Sonne, Barnes.

Bruno Fernandes returns to the Manchester United starting line-up, with Leny Yoro dropping to the bench as interim boss Darren Fletcher prepares to revert to a four-man defence.

Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are all back on the bench after injury, while Fletcher's son Jack, but not twin Tyler, is also involved.

United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw, Ugarte, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Cunha, Sesko.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Maguire, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Mainoo, Fredricson, J Fletcher, Lacey.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as frontrunners to become Manchester United's caretaker manager.

Here are some of your comments:

Anthony: Short term, Carrick and Fletcher. Long term Roy Keane as head coach with a staff of Carrick, Fletcher and Steve Bruce.

Rob: Never go back. Why not give Darren Fletcher a few games and if it doesn't work out then try Carrick?

Ozzie: I would prefer Carrick. I feel a manager who has been sacked shouldn't go back, legendary status or not.

Harry: Get Ole back in til the end of the season. Play some free-flowing, counter-attacking football without the weight of expectation, and then go for either Oliver Glasner or Julian Nagelsmann in the summer.

James: Having gone down the unknown route the last two times and got burned, the absolute minimum is someone who has Premier League managerial experience to be interim manager so that only leaves Ole. He will also have learned from his mistakes the last time around where his lack of experience at that time cost him.

Reuben: For them to work together will bring not only amazing results but provide a clear path to relaunch the club to its former glory. They should be advised to work as a team for the benefit of all.

Moses: Both are great but I think Ole is ahead - he should have been given more time. He had a 75% win rate after almost 30 matches.

Bobby: I would love to see Carrick given an opportunity to manage United until the end of season if Fletcher is not up to the task. Although I believe Ole was prematurely sacked by United, it does feel a bit of a step backwards. My Middlesbrough-supporting mate also explained that Carrick did pretty well there considering all the on-loan players coming and going during his stint so maybe the win percentages are an unfair stat to judge him on. Whoever is in charge, as long as they don't play a back three, it's hard not to see a top-six finish... surely?!

This is your Manchester United page.

Select 'Follow' at the top to get United news on your BBC Sport homepage and, if on the app, tap the bell icon to get notifications sent directly to your device.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have emerged as the frontrunners to become Manchester United's caretaker manager until the end of the season.

The former players, who have both previously managed United, are set for face-to-face talks with the club's leadership and could even work together.

What do you make of the development?

Do you have a preference?

Or would you like to see somebody else given the reins?

Get in touch

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis, who had Darren Fletcher under his charge at West Bromwich Albion, has no doubt the Manchester United interim boss will be a success in the dugout.

People ask me about players I've worked with and people who have been an influence in my teams. At all of my clubs there were some big influences in the dressing room, and I liked strong characters.

Fletch was definitely one of those. He was a gentleman, a top professional, and he led by example. He's not a shouter or a hollerer, but he knew the game so well.

During his time at The Hawthorns he played in all the Premier League teams I picked while I was West Brom manager.

He started all but one of those 91 games, and during that spell he started 86 consecutive league games for us, which was a record for any active player at that time.

His influence on and off the pitch was fantastic and, although his glory years at United were over, he provided the leadership we needed to take the Albion to a top-10 finish in the Premier League.

The club had some brilliant players and plenty of other strong characters, yet I'm sure not one of them would have had a bad word to say about their captain.

The leadership and man-management skills he will need now at United were clear to see then. He was a great lad to have around off the pitch but was not afraid to speak his mind to me either.

He would always debate my tactics if he felt it was right to do so, and at times showed a steely backbone when needed.

I believe that, given the chance, and given the time, Fletch can become a top candidate for the permanent job - if United decide to take a deep breath and give him a fair chance to show what he is capable of.

He is United through and through, so will know the task in hand and will not be afraid to make hard decisions.

Many years ago, another young Scot took charge at Old Trafford. Sir Alex was backed because the people at the club believed in him.

Given time, Fletch could be what United fans have been waiting for too.

Read the full piece over here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Of all the comments Darren Fletcher made in his press conference at Carrington on Tuesday, confirmation midfielder Kobbie Mainoo had returned to training was one of the most significant.

Ruben Amorim's treatment of Mainoo has been viewed as a bell-weather for how invested the former Sporting coach was in Manchester United's academy and, by definition, the history of the club.

Amorim's exit and Mainoo's return are not connected but the juxtaposition is ironic.

It comes as the belief of Serie A title-winners Napoli that they can sign Mainoo in the current transfer window begins to recede. Neither are there any talks planned between the 20-year-old and the United hierarchy.

Fletcher said he would need to assess Mainoo before deciding whether to include him in his squad to face Burnley at Turf Moor tonight.

But the wider point is more significant. If, as expected, Fletcher and whoever follows him to end of the season plays with four at the back, it creates the extra space in midfield for Mainoo to play. Then it is down to his performances.

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

History is on Darren Fletcher's side as the Scotsman prepares to take charge of Manchester United for the first time against Burnley. The Red Devils have lost just twice in 37 games against the east Lancashire club in all competitions since 1969.

In the Premier League, United have fewer defeats versus Burnley – two in 19 meetings – than against any other current top-flight team. Nonetheless, sixth-placed United are looking to secure the Premier League double over them for just the second time, having done it in 2020-21.

Much will be said about Fletcher's formation of choice, especially given United's defensive struggles on the road; under Ruben Amorim they failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past 15 Premier League away games, conceding 28 goals, since a 3-0 win at relegated Leicester in March.

His under-18 side at United this season have mainly favoured a 4-3-3 approach, which, if transplanted into the senior side, would mark a departure from the 3-4-2-1 system that many observers saw as Amorim's downfall.

Regardless, United have looked pedestrian in attack without Bruno Fernandes, who is still a doubt for Wednesday, but there are signs that £62.5m summer signing Matheus Cunha is turning a corner.

The Brazil forward has scored three goals in his past five Premier League appearances, as many as in his previous 20.

He likes picking on the league's new boys too, with five goals and four assists in his past eight league games against promoted opponents.

Clarets' blues

As for Burnley, they are six points adrift of safety and remain without a win in their past 11 Premier League games (drawn two, lost nine). It is their longest top-flight winless run since a 12-match streak in 2009-10 – the same season a famous Robbie Blake strike secured their sole Turf Moor Premier League victory against United.

Clarets boss Scott Parker has struggled to make home advantage count in the top flight – the former England midfielder has lost 65% of his Premier League home matches as manager, the highest losing percentage of any manager to take charge of at least 25 home games in Premier League history.

As well as being the league's third lowest scorers, with 20 goals in as many matches, Burnley are also bereft of chances. They managed just five shots in their previous game against Brighton, the sixth time they have had five or fewer in a Premier League game this season. That is two games more than any other side.

It seemed like Ruben Amorim was poking the hierarchy at Manchester United with some of his cryptic comments over the weekend about doing his job without interference and that always felt like the beginning of the end for me.

So, to see him sacked a couple of days later was no huge surprise - it was like Enzo Maresca's Chelsea exit all over again - Amorim wanted to be put out of his Manchester misery, and the club obliged.

Compared to last year, they had improved - but only because they were so bad then. This season has been OK, but United need to be more than OK.

Burnley ran them close at Old Trafford earlier this season, when United needed a 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty to win 3-2.

I can see this game being just as close because I just don't fancy this United team, whoever is in charge.

I get accused by a lot of United fans of having a dislike for them, but I just think they are bang average - that's the reason I don't go for them to win in these predictions a lot of the time.

They are still bang average now Amorim has gone, which is why I think Burnley will get something here.

I do have sympathy for Clarets boss Scott Parker because they have been OK too.

They have just come up a little bit short when it comes to scoring goals, which is why wins have been in such short supply.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Roma director Ricky Massara says the situation over any move for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, 24, has changed following head coach Ruben Amorim's Old Trafford exit. (Sky Sports Italia, via Football Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Burnley at Turf Moor (kick-off 20:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On taking the role of head coach on a temporary basis after the sacking of Ruben Amorim: "It's an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team. I don't even think it was in my wildest dreams that it was something that could potentially happen. To lead the team is an amazing honour and something I'm really proud to do - not in the circumstances I expected it to happen, obviously it's something that doesn't sit quite easy with me, but I've got a job to do and I'll think for the great honour and pride in doing that."

• Fletcher said he has had a "conversation" with director of football Jason Wilcox and they will speak more regarding his role after the Burnley match.

• Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes will return from injury and be back in the squad but will be on "restricted minutes".

• Fletcher's sons, Jack and Tyler, made the bench against Leeds and he said it "remains to be seen" whether they will be included against Burnley: "I'd be disclosing team information [by confirming their inclusion] and I'm not doing going to do that. They were in the training group on Monday, they've been in the squad recently, but we've got a couple of players back from injury and have a couple to assess. They are in the periphery squad, but whether they make the matchday squad, it remains to be seen."

• On his backroom staff for Wednesday: "Travis Binnion, who I started my coaching career with in the academy, I couldn't ask for anyone better beside me. We've got a close relationship - someone who I respect and learned a lot from. His assistant, Alan Wright, so the under-21 staff come and join me. Jonny Evans is coming in to help as well, he has a great association with the club, knows the players, is comfortable in the environment and a familiar face to the group."

• On what team to expect against Burnley: "Hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me - a team that fans can be proud of and I can be proud of. We've got good players who care and a lot of quality and I hope to give them a platform to show that. It's their season, their careers, their opportunity. I'm here to help them."

Hear more from Fletcher on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

One person's interference is another's constructive feedback, which is how Jason Wilcox's exchange with Ruben Amorim before the draw at Leeds at the weekend has been interpreted.

It was supposed to be a chat about the transfer window but the topic became tactics.

Points were made about the wisdom of switching formations and returning to a back three for a meeting with bottom-of-the-table Wolves at the end of December.

According to sources, Amorim "blew up", went to his pre-match press conference, when he hinted at a changing strategy, before going nuclear at Elland Road, identifying Wilcox as one of the people he felt was overstepping the mark.

It is easy to see why Amorim might view suggestions he should change his formation, and be questioned about his perceived negative approach against Wolves, as someone going outside of their remit.

Yet it is also true that while the manager, or head coach, of a football team may be in a powerful position, there are people beyond the fanbase he is accountable to.

At Manchester United, Wilcox is one of them.

The events of the past few days will draw more attention to Wilcox, whose brief is enormous.

"The academy is under me," Wilcox told the in-house Inside Carrington podcast at the beginning of November.

"On the women's side, I support [head coach] Marc [Skinner] from a technical perspective. Recruitment, operations, travel, logistics, kit. Medicine.

"The breadth of the role is huge. I'm accountable for it but I have an amazing team."

Read more

Manchester United are searching for a new boss after Ruben Amorim's departure on Monday.

Who should be appointed as his successor? Our fan contributor Beth Tucker discusses some of the possible options...

Find more from Beth Tucker at The United Stand, external