Another chance to move into the Premier League top four goes begging, with Manchester United failing to pounce on a night of chaotic results by slipping up themselves away to Burnley at Turf Moor.
While the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all dropped points in the earlier kick-offs, United proceeded to join the party, as Jaidon Anthony claimed a draw for the hosts in stunning fashion late on.
It had started with the home nudging ahead following Ayden Heaven’s unfortunate own goal, although a clinical brace from the lively Benjamin Sesko after the break looked to have set Darren Fletcher on course for a first win as interim boss.
The returning Bruno Fernandes was subsequently withdrawn, yet, as ever, the Red Devils wilted in his absence, with the Clarets hanging on after substitute Anthony’s thumping strike.
A frustrating night then all-round for those of a United persuasion, with the aforementioned Heaven enduring one to forget, in particular.
Why Heaven needs to be replaced after Burnley
There had been so much to like about the teenage centre-back in recent weeks, not least in the win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day, although the New Year hasn’t been kind to the 19-year-old it’s fair to say.
Having ambled on the ball to allow Brenden Aaronson to strike in Ruben Amorim’s final game at Elland Road, the ex-Arsenal man was again at the scene of the crime on Wednesday, deflecting Bashir Humphreys’ cross beyond Senne Lammens.
That moment wasn’t exactly an error from the Englishman, although it was a relatively tame attempted block, while the left-footer also failed to redeem himself with an agonising wasted header from point-blank range.
Unsurprisingly, Fletcher took the decision to replace Heaven with fellow youngster, Leny Yoro, late on, with perhaps now the time to take the teen giant out of the firing line altogether, not least with Harry Maguire also back on the bench.
In many ways, Heaven isn’t truly to blame, considering he has been deployed in an unnatural right-sided centre-back role, although after two disappointing displays on the road, he might well have played himself out of Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Brighton.
In the £1m man’s defence, however, he won’t be alone in looking over his shoulder after Wednesday night, with Fletcher – or the next caretaker boss – likely to have been left with plenty to think about.
So too have INEOS…
Man Utd man showed why he needs to be sold after Burnley
On the positive front, there was a nod to the future at Turf Moor, with the 22-year-old Sesko bagging a much-needed double, with the second of those efforts provided by the resurgent Patrick Dorgu down that left flank.
Equally, 18-year-old Shea Lacey – on for just a second senior appearance – forced those watching on to sit up and take notice with two stunning long-range efforts that could so easily have flown in on another day, with United perhaps having developed yet another academy sensation at Carrington.
The beginning of one United journey, although Wednesday should surely make the end of another, with the ageing Casemiro looking so off the pace yet again in the centre of midfield.
A key issue in the recent draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, in particular, the 33-year-old looked back to his 2024 Selhurst Park worst against Scott Parker’s side, ambling about in almost worrying fashion.
For Burnley’s opener, for instance, the Brazilian failed to track his man, having also allowed goalscorer Anthony to do the same for the home side’s vital second.
Casemiro vs Burnley
Stat
Record
Minutes
74
Touches
70
Pass accuracy
86%
Possession lost
11
Key passes
4
Dribbled past
4
Tackles
2/2
Ground duels won
2/8
Aerial duels won
2/4
Stats via Sofascore
In all, as per Sofascore, he was remarkably dribbled past on four occasions, prior to being replaced in the closing stages, with the veteran’s lack of athleticism proving such an issue in the centre of the park.
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While the ex-Real Madrid man did provide four key passes, he is in the side to provide a defensive shield, although on the evidence of recent outings, he no longer has the legs to do just that.
As noted by scout Liam Canning, he simply looked “lost” up against the relegation-threatened side, with INEOS surely having seen enough from the club’s highest earner – a player Sir Jim Ratcliffe has repeatedly pointed to as a reason for change in the recruitment department.
With just six months left on his current deal, and with the likes of Carlos Baleba still on the agenda, the Old Trafford hierarchy must surely be considering cashing in while they can.
Indeed, on a night when Casemiro and co couldn’t blame the 3-4-2-1 for their woes, he was among the most notable to have been truly exposed.
Heaven, still young and raw, deserves patience, but the jig looks to be up for the teen’s senior colleague.
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