Bruno Fernandes returns to the Manchester United starting line-up as Darren Fletcher takes charge of the Red Devils in the Premier League for the first time.
United play their first game of the post-Ruben Amorim era tonight with their former midfielder, technical director and current under-18s head coach in caretaker charge at Turf Moor against Burnley following Amorim’s sacking on Monday.
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Without the Portuguese at the helm, United have also ditched Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1 system with Fletcher - reportedly a candidate for the full interim position to see United through until the end of the current campaign - preferring a traditional defensive quartet.
Senne Lammens remains first choice between the posts but Fletcher has opted for a 4-2-3-1 system like the one the Scot has deployed during his time in charge of the U18s, with Diogo Dalot at right-back and Luke Shaw in his natural position on the left.
In the middle, Fletcher confirmed on Tuesday that central defender Matthijs de Ligt was still sidelined through injury, meaning Lisandro Martinez is paired with teenager Ayden Heaven, who impressed in Amorim’s final games at the helm. Harry Maguire is back on the bench after recovering from an injury that has kept him out since November, with Leny Yoro also among the substitutes.
In midfield, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte line up behind captain Fernandes, who returns from injury and is thrown straight back in as a central No10.
United are lacking in wide areas with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo going deep at the Africa Cup of Nations, so Matheus Cunha shifts out to the left flank while Patrick Dorgu continues on the right flank, where he played to great effect against Newcastle on Boxing Day. It means Mount and Mainoo, also back in the matchday squad after recovering from injury, are left hoping for a cameo appearance.
Up top, Benjamin Sesko keeps his place ahead of Joshua Zirkzee.
Confirmed Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, L. Martinez, Shaw; Casmiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, Lacey, Mainoo, Mount, Zirkzee
Injured: De Ligt
AFCON: Mbeumo, Amad, Mazraoui
Time and date: 8:15pm GMT on Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Venue: Turf Moor
How to watch: Sky Sports
