Burnley vs Manchester United LIVE
Benjamin Sesko scored twice as Darren Fletcher’s Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw following an action-packed evening of Premier League football at Turf Moor. Ex-United midfielder Fletcher - leading the top squad for the first time in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier this week - heeded widespread calls to field a four-man defence but soon fell behind anyway when an early Burnley cross deflected in off Ayden Heaven.
United then saw two efforts cleared off the line either side of a disallowed goal prior to half-time, before finally finding their equaliser five minutes after the restart as Benjamin Sesko ended his recent scoring drought by rifling home following a sumptuous Bruno Fernandes through ball. Sesko put his side in front 10 minutes later with another fine first-time finish, but Fletcher’s men were promptly pegged back by a lovely curling effort from Clarets substitute Jaidon Anthony.
Scott Parker’s struggling side held their own and came close to more goals on a few occasions themselves, despite United dominating the shooting statistics (30 total shots to seven, 10 on target to one) and nearly winning it late on when 18-year-old substitute Shea Lacey hit the bar. In the end, though, the points were shared. Relive everything from Wednesday’s game below in Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.
Burnley vs Manchester United latest news
- GOAL! Burnley 2-2 Man Utd: Anthony curls ball in to restore parity
- GOAL! Burnley 1-2 Man Utd: Two for Sesko as Red Devils take lead | '60
- GOAL! Burnley 1-1 Man Utd: Sesko ends personal goal drought with equaliser | '50
- OFF THE LINE! Esteve tracks back to stop Dorgu | '45+2
- GOAL DISALLOWED! Burnley 1-0 Man Utd: Martinez leveller ruled out for foul | '28
- OFF THE LINE! Humphreys denies Cunha | '27
- GOAL! Burnley 1-0 Man Utd: Heaven own goal | '13
- Burnley confirmed team news
- Man Utd confirmed team news
FT: Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:11 , Alex DakersAnd we finish level at Turf Moor at the end of an action-packed evening!
Points shared between Scott Parker and Darren Fletcher.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:11 , Alex Dakers95mins: CLOSE!
Crikey, Lacey nearly scores again!
He hits the ball pretty well again, the teenager, but it bends away from goal and wide to the right.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:10 , Alex Dakers95mins: Lyle Foster is booked now for preventing play from restarting at a goalkick.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:08 , Alex Dakers93mins: Burnley replace the impressive Marcus Edwards with defender Oliver Sonne.
A sign that Scott Parker is pretty happy with a point?
Understandable to a degree, but a point won’t end what is on the verge of becoming a 12-game winless run for the Clarets and will do them few favours in their fight to climb out of the relegation zone.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:07 , Alex Dakers92mins: Mount lifts the ball into the area this time but Luke Shaw can’t quite get there in time and it bobbles out of play.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:07 , Alex Dakers92mins: Dorgu whips another cross into the box towards Zirkzee but Burnley clear it.
Are we destined for a stalemate, after all that?
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:06 , Alex Dakers90mins: We will play on for at least five more minutes!
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:04 , Alex Dakers89mins: Yellow card for Burnley boss Scott Parker for arguing with a decision against his side.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
22:01 , Alex Dakers85mins: HITS THE BAR!
Martinez gets in the way of Edwards’s attempted cross and United are back in possession and racing away.
Lacey receives the ball, carries it forward and shoots, a lovely effort from the right-hand edge of the box. It looks like it’s sailing perfectly towards the top left corner, it has Dubravka beaten, but the 18-year-old winger hits the cross bar!
Almost an instant impact, which interim Red Devils boss and current under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher will be pleased to see on the touchline having come through the academy ranks himself prior to an illustrious United career.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:59 , Alex Dakers84mins: England youngster Shea Lacey makes his second senior appearance for United, replacing Manuel Ugarte.
Mount drops into midfield alongside Mainoo as a result.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:57 , Alex Dakers81mins: Sesko has another chance to finish his hat-trick but Dubravka watches the ball all the way into his waiting gloves.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:55 , Alex Dakers80mins: We’re entering the final 10 minutes pre-stoppages. Will we have a winner at Turf Moor? A reminder that the reverse fixture was decided very, very late on...
Dorgu headed wide to the left a few minutes ago, and Foster was then caught offside a minute later.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:51 , Alex Dakers76mins: Zirkzee commits a foul near the halfway line, goal-scorer Anthony winning a free-kick for Burnley, and the Clarets make another change.
Lyle Foster, just back from representing South Africa at AFCON, replaces Armando Broja.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:48 , Alex Dakers74mins: It’s Cunha that makes way for Zirkzee and Casemiro the man replaced by Mainoo.
Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:48 , Alex Dakers72mins: Sesko has the wind in his sails after that brace and has been afforded a few more half chances. No first United hat-trick for him yet, though.
Here come some more changes by Darren Fletcher, Joshua Zirkzee and Kobbie Mainoo the duo about to be introduced.
GOAL! Burnley 2-2 Man Utd
21:43 , Alex Dakers66mins: Well, well, well... we’re level again!
Jaidon Anthony, just a few minutes after coming on, equalises for Burnley - his second goal against United this season.
Played in on the edge of the box by Marcus Edwards, he’s allowed to cut inside onto his left foot before curling the ball into the top left corner past the outstretched glove of Senne Lammens.
Burnley 1-2 Man Utd
21:37 , Alex Dakers61mins: Bruno Fernandes hands over the armband to Lisandro Martinez as the Portuguese makes way in a pre-planned substitution on his return from injury.
Mason Mount, also making a comeback, comes on.
Ayden Heaven is withdrawn as well, with Leny Yoro thrown on in his place.
GOAL! Burnley 1-2 Man Utd
21:36 , Alex Dakers60mins: Two for Sesko, two for United - the Red Devils lead at Turf Moor!
Dorgu whips the ball in from the left and the Slovenian frontman does well under pressure to steer it into the corner of the goal.
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:44 , Alex Dakers58mins: Jaidon Anthony replaces Hannibal Mejbri, who has been playing with fire after his first-half yellow card.
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:32 , Alex Dakers57mins: A minute later United have a corner again, the ball is whipped in and Ayden Heaven - trying to make amends for his early own goal - heads it narrowly off the mark.
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:31 , Alex Dakers56mins: Then it’s Bruno’s turn to have a go and he does so from the right of the penalty box, but rather than going for the far corner he aims to beat Dubravka at his near post and hammers the ball wide instead via the woodwork.
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:29 , Alex Dakers55mins: Esteve clears Bruno’s delivery.
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:29 , Alex Dakers54mins: The corner comes to nothing and up the other end, Sesko is in possession again.
This time, he can’t get a clean shot away and it’s a United corner coming up.
Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:28 , Alex Dakers53mins: Burnley are looking to regain their lead and Armando Broja wins a corner after a great run down the left.
GOAL! Burnley 1-1 Man Utd
21:25 , Alex Dakers50mins: Benjamin Sesko draws United level!
The young striker needed that goal after nine games without one and he makes sure he gets it, lashing the ball into the far corner after being played through to the right of the six-yard box by a lovely pass from Bruno Fernandes.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
21:23 , Alex Dakers48mins: Cunha looks to have moved into the central role in this attacking midfield trio behind Sesko, with Dorgu still on the left and Bruno Fernandes going out to the right for now.
United fans on social media have been calling out for Cunha to go out to the left and for Dorgu to be put on the right, where he did well against Newcastle on Boxing Day. No sign of that yet.
No changes made by either manager at half-time - how long will that last?
Back underway!
21:20 , Alex DakersBurnley 1-0 Man Utd
We were given an end-to-end first half at Turf Moor; what will the second period bring?
Let’s find out!
HT: Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
21:03 , Alex DakersAnd that’s all we have time for in this entertaining first half.
Back shortly!
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
21:03 , Alex Dakers45+2mins: OFF THE LINE!
ANOTHER goal-line clearance! Patrick Dorgu’s effort, lifted over the sprawling Martin Dubravka, is blocked at the last moment by Maxime Esteve, who shins the ball high and out of play.
Burnley deal with the corner...
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
21:02 , Alex Dakers45+1mins: Cunha goes for goal from the edge of the area, shooting through a mass of bodies, but Dubravka gets down low to stop it.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
21:01 , Alex Dakers45mins: Just two added minutes here at Turf Moor.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
21:00 , Alex Dakers44mins: Nothing comes of the resulting corner, or the one that follows it, and instead United’s next chance sees Ugarte shoot wide from the right side of the box.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:59 , Alex Dakers43mins: CLOSE!
Casemiro clips a nicely weighted first-time cross in for Benjamin Sesko, whose header - his best effort of the match so far - tests Martin Dubravka but the Burnley ‘keeper tips the ball over at full stretch.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:57 , Alex Dakers41mins: Hannibal Mejbri goes down a little too easily and is booked for simulation.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:56 , Alex Dakers40mins: As we approach half-time, United are still yet to find a (legal) equaliser to Burnley’s fortuitous opener.
Will there by changes at the interval by Darren Fletcher? He’s got a few options on the bench, including Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount - and his own teenaged son, Jack!
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:54 , Alex Dakers38mins: Josh Laurent blocks Dorgu’s cross when the Dane tries to drill a low ball into the box for Sesko.
United get it in there anyway a moment later, but the Clarets clear again.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:48 , Alex Dakers32mins: CLOSE!
Chances at both ends here at Turf Moor - the latest of which see Burnley break quickly, working the ball out to Lucas Pires, but the Brazilian left-back flashes his shot across goal and narrowly out of play.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:44 , Alex Dakers28mins: From the resulting corner, United eventually get the ball in the back of the net thanks to Lisandro Martinez but it’s been disallowed as the Argentine defender fouled Kyle Walker as Luke Shaw was swinging in the initial delivery.
The referee ruled it out on the pitch, and VAR agrees.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:43 , Alex Dakers27mins: OFF THE LINE!
Bruno doesn’t go for it in the end, playing out wide to Casemiro on the right of the box, and the Brazilian nods it into the danger zone - where there’s a goal-line clearance from Burnley’s goal-forcer Humphreys to prevent Matheus Cunha’s headed effort!
The Clarets defender, running and then falling back into his own net, somehow managed to push the ball up and over the bar with his own head.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:42 , Alex Dakers26mins: United have a free-kick some ways from the goalmouth, but it looks like Bruno Fernandes it thinking about going for it...
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:39 , Alex Dakers24mins: Bruno Fernandes bring the ball upfield and floats a decent looking cross into the Burnley penalty box, but Dubravka claims it from Sesko.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:36 , Alex Dakers21mins: The Clarets weren’t looking terrible before that fortunate goal, but they’ve certainly got a spring in their step now.
United are trying to find an equaliser, but Casemiro’s cross from deep sails over Cunha’s head as the latter made his run into the box a little too early.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:34 , Alex Dakers18mins: Manuel Ugarte tests Burnley’s backline with a darting run through the central third of the pitch to the edge of the penalty box, but the hosts clear.
Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:32 , Alex Dakers17mins: In United’s technical area, Darren Fletcher shook his head in dismay when that goal went in.
Can his troops find an answer?
Also not impressed were United’s higher-ups...
GOAL! Burnley 1-0 Man Utd
20:29 , Alex Dakers13mins: An opening goal for Burnley, and it’s an own goal for Ayden Heaven!
The teenager goes to block a cross from the left by centre-back Bashir Humphreys, who got away from Casemiro and charged towards the byline, but it takes a deflection of the teenager and loops into the back of the net past Senne Lammens.
Burnley 0-0 Man Utd
20:27 , Alex Dakers12mins: Referee says no free-kick for Burnley, deeming Hannibal Mejbri to have dived just outside United’s penalty area instead under a challenge from Casemiro.
Burnley 0-0 Man Utd
20:26 , Alex Dakers10mins: Dorgu plays a one-two with Sesko just outside Burnley’s box, but the left-back-turned-left winger takes a heavy touch and the ball gets away from him in the area.
Burnley 0-0 Man Utd
20:24 , Alex Dakers7mins: Casemiro shoots high and wide to the left after receiving from Matheus Cunha outside the box.
It’s half-time elsewhere in England, including in Fulham where the Cottagers are level - having had a goal ruled out for offside - against 10-man Chelsea. Tottenham, meanwhile, are losing to Bournemouth.
Burnley 0-0 Man Utd
20:21 , Alex Dakers6mins: Ex-United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri plays the ball to his left but Lucas Pires’s cross can’t find a teammate in United’s area.
Burnley 0-0 Man Utd
20:20 , Alex Dakers5mins: Speaking of Dorgu, the Denmark international darts towards the byline on the left and clips a cross into the Burnley box but Martin Dubravka claims it calmly.
Burnley 0-0 Man Utd
20:18 , Alex Dakers3mins: Nothing of note to report from these early minutes, aside from the fact that Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha may, at least at times, be playing on opposite flanks - Dorgu on the left, Cunha the right - of the attacking midfield trio than was expected.
KICK-OFF!
20:16 , Alex DakersAway we go at Turf Moor!
Before kick-off, we had a moment’s silence and a round of applause for former Burnley and England goalie Colin McDonald, who passed away earlier this month aged 95.
Teams on the pitch
20:11 , Alex DakersBoth sets of players are out on the Turf Moor pitch now.
We’ll be underway in a few minutes’ time!
Fletcher looks to join winning group
20:11 , Alex DakersDarren Fletcher, meanwhile, will be hoping to lead Manchester United to victory here at Turf Moor in his first match in interim charge of the Red Devils in the Premier League.
Seven of the last 10 United managers (interims included) have grabbed a victory in their first game, with Ryan Giggs securing the biggest win of the bunch with a 4-0 drubbing of Norwich in 2014.
Ruben Amorim, who was sacked earlier this week, drew his first game 1-1 at Ipswich Town while Louis van Gaal and Erik ten Hag both lost their first outings at the helm.
How will Fletcher fare, with former United defender Jonny Evans in the dugout alongside him?
Burnley aiming to snap winless run
20:06 , Alex DakersUnited won the reverse meeting between these two sides earlier in the season thanks to a 97th penalty from their skipper, Fernandes.
That result made it eight games unbeaten against Burnley across all competitions, while you have to go all the way back to August 2009 for the Clarets’ last home win over the Red Devils; Robbie Blake was the match-winner on that occasion.
Can veteran defender Kyle Walker - a tormenter of United for so long during his Manchester City days, and making his 650th appearance in English club football today - help Scott Parker’s men - who, as we’ve been mentioning, are without a win in 11 straight Premier League games this term - change their fortunes today?
We’ll soon find out!
Kick-off in 10.
What impact will Bruno have?
20:02 , Alex DakersBruno Fernandes was out injured for both of Manchester United’s last two matches, which each ended in 1-1 draws against Leeds United and Wolves - clear signs that the Red Devils missed their skipper.
He’s straight back in the starting XI as a central No10 today; what impact will the Portuguese have in that more advanced position, compared to the deeper central midfield role he has spent much of this season to date in under Ruben Amorim?
Warm-ups wrapping up
19:58 , Alex DakersWe’re wrapping up the warm-ups here at Turf Moor, meaning there’s not long at all until the action starts!
You can find all the key info about this match, including confirmed team news, using the highlights function about - or by scrolling back through this blog.
Up for it 😤 pic.twitter.com/GBgFYdbYz7
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2026
All smiles in United's warm-up
19:51 , Alex DakersPlenty of happy faces during United’s warm-ups here at Turf Moor, even amongst the substitutes!
In the stands, a young fan holds up a placard thanking former manager Ruben Amorim, who received plenty of tributes from United’s squad on social media after he was sacked on Monday.
Countdown to kick-off
19:45 , Alex DakersWe’re about 30 minutes away from kick-off at Turf Moor.
Stick with us for all the latest updates before, during and after tonight’s match!
Parker 'needs a reaction' from Burnley
19:43 , Alex DakersSome pre-match comments from the hosts, who are winless in 11 games.
Scott Parker will be desperate for that to change tonight.
He has just told Sky Sports that his side “fell short” in their 2-0 loss to Burnley last time out, and “need a reaction”.
“There’s no better team [than tonight’s opponents, Manchester United,” he said, adding that the return of players like Hannibal Mejbri is a “big boost” for his squad.
"We know what we need to do." 👊 pic.twitter.com/ZtiVT4COGg
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 7, 2026
Man Utd star 'one of the happiest people around' after Amorim sacking
19:39 , Alex DakersHe may only be on the bench tonight as he returns from injury, but Kobbie Mainoo is said to be “one of the happiest people about” following Ruben Amorim’s sacking as Manchester United head coach.
That’s according to former United striker Michael Owen, who has warned the young midfielder that he must now prove Amorim was wrong for not playing him.
Mainoo went from a regular starter under Erik ten Hag to an outcast under Amorim, who did not hand him a Premier League start this season before being sacked.
The England international tried to force a loan exit in the final days of the summer transfer window, but the request was blocked, and has since been told he is staying put this month.
Mainoo has recently been nursing an injury problem which has seen him sit out the last three matchday squads.
But with Darren Fletcher in interim charge, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer potentially returning on a deal until the end of the season, the 20-year-old will hope his minutes soon increase - perhaps starting with a substitute appearance tonight?
Just two Fletchers tonight, not three
19:35 , Alex DakersWe told you a short while ago that Darren Fletcher was on the verge of making history tonight, had both of his teenaged twin sons made an appearance for United under his management.
However, Tyler Fletcher - who is yet to feature for the first team but was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Leeds last time out - is not in today’s matchday squad.
Still, Jack Fletcher is among the substitutes and could be handed some minutes by his father tonight after making his senior debut as a substitute in the defeat by Aston Villa before Christmas.
Team news reaction: Four Burnley changes, Fernandes returns
19:30 , Alex DakersMaxime Esteve is fit after all for Burnley and returns to the back three, while Hannibal Mejbri - back from AFCON duty - starts against his former club.
The hosts are looking to end an 11-match winless run tonight, and Scott Parker looks to have lined up in a 3-5-2/5-3-2 with Marcus Edwards and Armando Broja as a front two.
As for United, Darren Fletcher does indeed revert to a four-man defence with Dalot and Shaw as his full-backs and teenaged centre-back Heaven partnering Lisandro Martinez in central defence, with Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro both on the bench.
Mason Mount and Kobbiee Mainoo join Maguire in returning from injuring yet being named among the substitutes, but Bruno Fernandes comes straight back into the XI as a central No10 with Matheus Cunha and out-of-position full-back Patrick Dorgu on the left and right attacking flanks of a 4-2-3-1.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are the defensive midfielders of choice for Fletcher, who picks Benjamin Sesko up top ahead of Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United confirmed team news in full
19:09 , Alex DakersMan Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, L. Martinez, Shaw; Casmiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, Lacey, Mainoo, Mount, Zirkzee
Burnley confirmed team news in full
19:09 , Alex DakersBurnley XI: Dubravka; Walker, Laurent, Esteve, Humphreys, Pires; Ugochukwu, Florentino, Hannibal; Edwards, Broja
Subs: Weiß, Hartman, Bruun Larsen, Foster, Anthony, Tchaouna, Ekdal, Sonne, Barnes
Man Utd starting line-up and subs
19:01 , Alex DakersRepresenting United at Turf Moor 💪⚪️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2026
Burnley starting line-up and subs
19:01 , Alex DakersTaking on Manchester United tonight 📋 pic.twitter.com/6Wxms4Pk5Q
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 7, 2026
United squad arrive at Turf Moor - who's all there?
18:58 , Alex DakersWe can now bring you confirmation that Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are all with the Manchester United squad that has now arrived at Turf Moor.
Team news coming up!
How Fletcher can make history on Man Utd interim manager debut
18:54 , Alex DakersSpeaking of Fletcher, the Scot could make Premier League history when he takes charge of his first game as United’s interim manager tonight.
The Red Devils’ former midfielder will lead the visiting troops out at Turf Moor shortly having made the step up to the senior squad as a caretaker head coach, having previously held first-team coaching responsibilities as well as being technical director until 2024, when he was replaced by Jason Wilcox.
Fletcher, who played 223 times for United and is currently the head coach of the club’s under-18 side, has his two teenaged twin sons, Jack and Tyler, as part of United’s first-team set-up due to injuries and Africa Cup of Nations absentees.
The pair, midfielders like Darren, could become the first brothers in English top-flight history to play under their father’s management.
They were named on the bench by Ruben Amorim for the 1-1 draw at Leeds last time out, while Jack made his senior debut as a substitute in the defeat by Aston Villa before Christmas.
Tyler has not yet featured for the first team.
United manager hunt latest
18:48 , Alex DakersWe reported earlier today that United are discussing the possibility of appointing two interim managers to replace the sacked Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese head coach was dismissed on Monday, ending a turbulent 14-month spell which will see him go down as one of the worst head coaches in the club's history.
United have decided to delay appointing a permanent replacement for Amorim until the summer, with Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher taking charge of tonight’s Premier League game against Burnley.
The Red Devils are said to be in talks with fellow former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick over a deal to manage the first team until the end of the season.
A third United legend, in the form of Ruud van Nistelrooy, has also expressed an interest in the role and is reportedly under consideration.
Man Utd predicted line-up
18:39 , Alex DakersAs for the visitors, that confirmation of managed minutes (see post at 6.25pm GMT) for Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount could mean starts and early withdrawals or second half cameos from the bench.
Interim boss Fletcher primarily uses a back four system (often a 4-2-3-1) with United’s academy side, so there’s a decent chance we see such a formation from the Red Devils tonight - particularly given the apparent criticism of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 from the club’s higher-ups.
However, given the likes of Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo are both still at AFCON, one of Patrick Dorgu - who has played as one of two No10s under Amorim in recent weeks - or Diogo Dalot could be deployed as a winger if Mount or Fernandes aren’t ready to start.
Otherwise, Dalot could return to a more natural right-back position, where he faces little competition give Noussair Mazraoui remains at AFCON, with Luke Shaw pushing for a start on the opposite side of the backline. In central defence, meanwhile, it’s likely that Lisandro Martinez will be paired with either Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven, the latter of whom impressed in Amorim’s final games at the helm.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte may continue in defensive midfield while Kobbie Mainoo steps up his comeback from a calf injury.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Ugarte, Casemiro; Mount, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Burnley predicted line-up
18:30 , Alex DakersWe’ll bring you confirmed team news in the next half hour, but for now why don’t we make some line-up predictions?
Starting with the hosts, manager Scott Parker’s absentee list has been shortened by the recent returns of Hannibal Mejbri and Lyle Foster from AFCON, but several players (see post at 6pm GMT) remain unavailable while Maxime Esteve is a doubt despite having trained.
Predicted Burnley XI: Dubravka; Laurent, Ekdal, Humphreys; Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, L.Pires; M. Edwards, Broja, Bruun Larsen
Bruno and Mount injury latest
18:25 , Alex DakersSpeaking at his pre-game press conference yesterday, interim United boss Darren Fletcher stressed that he would manage the minutes of midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount upon their return to the matchday squad following injuries.
The Scot said: “Mason and Bruno, I think they were pushing to play against Leeds [last Sunday]. The decision was that they weren’t quite ready.
“So, they’ve trained, they should be back in the squad, but they’ll be on managed minutes as well, restricted minutes, because obviously they’ve just returned to training.”
Burnley vs Manchester United match odds
18:20 , Alex DakersBurnley to win: 7/2
Manchester United to win: 8/13
Draw: 12/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
18:15 , Alex DakersUnited won the reverse meeting between these two sides earlier in the season thanks to a 97th penalty from their skipper, Fernandes.
That result made it eight games unbeaten against Burnley across all competitions.
You have to go all the way back to August 2009 for Burnley’s last home win over the Red Devils; Robbie Blake was the match-winner on that occasion.
Burnley wins: 45
Manchester United wins: 68
Draws: 25
Standard Sport prediction: Narrow win... but for who?
18:10 , Alex DakersIt is difficult to say which team has the advantage for this fixture.
On one hand, there’s a case that Burnley could benefit from the sudden change in their opposition’s dugout to pick up a much-needed win.
On the other hand, there’s an argument that United are facing Burnley at the perfect time given Scott Parker side’s poor form at the moment.
We expect a new manager bounce to work to the visitors’ benefit, though it will be a close game.
Manchester United to win, 2-1.
Man Utd early team news: Bruno, Mount available, Mainoo training, several still out
18:05 , Alex DakersAs for the away side, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are available for selection again, though could have their minutes managed.
Kobbie Mainoo is back in training, meanwhile, but caretaker manager Darren Fletcher confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire would most likely remain side-lined.
However, Maguire has reportedly been spotted at the team hotel, so could be involved in some capacity for the first time since November.
Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui remain on international duty with Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Morocco respectively at AFCON.
Burnley early team news: Foster, Mejbri back from AFCON, Esteve doubt
18:00 , Alex DakersBurnley could be boosted by the returns of Hannibal Mejbri and Lyle Foster for the visit of Manchester United.
Both players have been away at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) but suffered round of 16 exits with Tunisia and South Africa over the weekend, so may be in contention to be named in the matchday squad.
Maxime Esteve is a doubt after missing the loss to Brighton through injury while Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts, Axel Tuanzebe (AFCON), Joe Worrall, Zian Flemming and Jordan Beyer are all out.
Where to watch Burnley vs Manchester United
17:55 , Alex DakersWell, you can follow all the action right here in Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Otherwise, the game will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports. Coverage begins at 6pm GMT on Sky Sports Premier League ahead of the 8.15pm kick-off.
Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Date, kick-off time and venue
17:50 , Alex DakersBurnley vs Manchester United is scheduled for an 8.15pm GMT kick-off today, Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
The match will take place at the Clarets’ home ground, Turf Moor.
Follow Burnley vs Manchester United LIVE
17:44 , Alex DakersGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of tonight’s Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United.
This marks the beginning of the post-Ruben Amorim era for the Red Devils, who will take to the field with former midfielder Darren Fletcher at the helm as they continue their search for a new manager head coach.
Will there be a so-called ‘new manager’ bounce under the Scot, who has a few key players at his disposal thanks to a positive injury update? Or will this latest bout of turmoil in the visiting dugout enable Scott Parker’s struggling Clarets to eke out a much-needed victory?
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ll bring you everything you need to know about today’s pivotal game as well as play-by-play updates once we get underway.
Stick with us!
