Darren Fletcher felt Manchester United should have beaten Burnley, after dominating at Turf Moor and raining shots on Martin Dubravka's goal, but gave credit to his players for their performance after the change in head coach earlier in the week.
Ruben Amorim's departure on Monday came in the build-up to the Premier League clash, which ended 2-2, with Benjamin Sesko scoring both of our goals.
Bruno Fernandes replaced Leny Yoro as the one alteration to the XI that started at Leeds United and the skipper's return from injury was later followed by comebacks for Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo as well. Harry Maguire is close to featuring again too, as he was an unused substitute.
Youngster Shea Lacey unloaded a couple of astounding shots during his exciting cameo late on, one of which cannoned against the bar from his first involvement.
Sesko, Fernandes and Lacey were among the topics discussed in Fletcher's post-match press conference...
How do you think the team responded and the performance overall?
“I thought we put in a performance that should win the match. I think we created a lot of chances, I think we had 30 shots and there were goalline clearances, a disallowed goal – I’m not sure why, for a [Lisandro] Martinez foul. So, if you look at it in that context, in terms of the shots and domination we had in the game, we should win the match. So I'm pleased with that. There were lots of good things, it was not perfect, I thought we started slow but I thought we improved as the first half wore on. I actually challenged them at half-time, as I think they had more in levels them and I think they produced that in the second half and scored two fantastic goals but there is still lots to work on. I’m pleased with their efforts and how they tried to implement it what we asked from them, with very limited time to prepare.”
I appreciate it's just been the end of the game but we saw a lot of images of Omar [Berrada] and Jason [Wilcox] during the game. Have you had any conversations about being in charge for Sunday [against Brighton & Hove Albion]?
“I have and they informed me they'd like me to take the team for Sunday. I had the feeling that might be the case from Monday but we wanted to focus on Burnley. So, I am tasked with leading the team on Sunday and all my focus and energy goes into that.”
I know you said you wanted to manage Bruno's minutes but was there any chance he could have played the full game? Given his influence, missing him, Burnley scored quite quickly after that...
“Look, it was planned before the game. We discussed it, 45 minutes was mentioned, 60 minutes and we agreed 60 minutes was probably a push. I don’t want to take Bruno Fernandes off in that game but the plan from the club, the medical and the coaches and Bruno had an injury and we have to respect it’s a long season as well. It’s disappointing but it was the plan before the game and we knew that was going to happen.”
There's been a lot of talk that United should be a team that takes a lot of risks. You had 30 shots and 10 on target so how much of that was part of your pre-match message to the players about doing that?
“It was, it was about them being proactive, to attack, to go out and highlight themselves and showcase their ability as individuals and players. Be really front foot, exciting and proactive. Those were the challenges we put towards them and they did that. As I said, it wasn’t perfect but there were a lot of good things within that. So I think, if we look back at on that game, barring probably the start and then, as you said, after we went 2-1 up, I think the rest of the game is pretty much total domination and creating lots of chances. We'll probably look at it and be disappointed we've not scored more goals because we've got to score more goals, when you create that many chances in a match.”
What did you say to Shea Lacey before he went on and how impressed were you with how he played?
“I said to him [Lacey] to stay wide and go and do what you do. He did that and stayed wide on the right. I know he is going to make an impact, he’s creative and has got goals in him. He’s exciting, direct and fearless. He hit the crossbar and had another shot and had a really bright game. I'm pleased for him. He’s had a lot of injuries in recent years and not really got going with his momentum but we know he’s talent who has got to be a big part of Manchester United’s future, I've no doubts about that.”
There have been instances this season when the team has not defended quite as solidly as you'd want and obviously there was a change of defensive formation tonight. Is it an ongoing concern, predating you, that they give up goals easily?
“I think you're right. I think it's proved in the season that we give up goals too easily. I think there is a tactical element when you change at the back and you are used to playing in a back four and you change to a back five. You know, it is different, it's different challenges, there is more space to cover. But you defend as a team. So it's not only just the defenders, it starts with the front, the midfield. It's the whole team that defends. We attack as a full team and we defend as a full team. So, you can't just label the criticism at the defenders, so to speak, but, as a team, we need to improve in defending and not concede as many goals. I think the xG tonight was 0.2 so it wasn't that much for them to actually score two goals, so that's one way of looking at it. Ultimately, they have and we have only got a point.”
One of the challenges for whoever gets the job is getting the players out of this mindset of making mistakes and letting good situations slip away. There is almost a sense of inevitability when you watch the team that it won't quite go the way it should go...
“I think you can get in that cycle with a little bit of confidence, yeah, so I think you're right. I think in terms of like there's a little bit of a feeling that can they see the game out or can you go on and win it? That doesn't seem to be there yet and that can only build with time and confidence and actually winning some football games and finding out what it takes to win games. Sometimes, you might put in a good performance, but you've got to find a way to win ugly and see out a match. It might not be pretty, it might be from keeping the ball, that might be from defending deep as a team, whenever that is. But the team need to figure out how to produce performances that win them games and, from there, hopefully the confidence can grow.”
United have dropped points against the bottom seven this season since the start of November and, in six of those games, United have gone in front. So what is it about the mindset that the club can't get over the line against teams down the bottom?
“Well, that's a good question. My experience is only tonight. My experience is we get 2-1 up and then I felt we were a bit passive again and sat in a little bit. Maybe we should have gone for the kill and gone for the third goal. It all happened very quickly as well, so we've not had chance to reflect on that yet. So that's something we will try to look at but it's a little bit new just now, a little bit fresh, so we're probably going to take a little bit of time to sit back and reflect on the game, watch it back and then try to figure it out why these things keep happening.”
Can I ask about Sesko, obviously, he's had to wait for goals but we saw his movement and quality of his finishing. When he is confident, he is raw but there is a player in there...
“For sure, look, I sat down with him yesterday showed him videos of his movement, as you said, and how opportunities are going to come if he just keeps believing and keeps making runs, the rest of the team needs to look for him as well. Like with all strikers, once you get that first goal, you hit the back of the net, that builds your confidence and, hopefully, they start flooding in now. I think everyone can see his qualities, I thought he was fantastic tonight. I thought he led the line really well and he maybe could have gone on to get a hat-trick as well. He had a few other opportunities, a header and another snap-shot, so it's a real positive night for him definitely. Probably the biggest positive of the night really is his two goals so, hopefully, that's good for Manchester United's future.”