Burnley capitalised on an early own goal to take the lead, despite Manchester United controlling possession and tempo from the outset.
Sustained pressure paid off as Benjamin Šeško (assisted by Bruno Fernandes) led a strong response, helping United turn the game around to lead 2–1.
Showing grit and resilience, Burnley struck back to earn a deserved 2–2 draw, denying United despite their dominance in shots and expected goals.
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Burnley Vs Manchester United Player Ratings: Sesko Shines as Manchester United & Burnley Share Spoils in Turf Moor 2-2 Thriller

Summary
Manchester United approached their Premier League trip to Turf Moor on the back of mixed form, eager to end a run of inconsistent results and climb back into contention for European qualification. Burnley, rooted in the relegation zone, were desperate to turn their recent struggles around and make home advantage count. From the very begining the intensity was palpable as both sides sought to seize control in a crucial Round 21 encounter.
The deadlock was broken early when an unfortunate own goal gave Burnley the lead, setting the tone for a contest that swung repeatedly between hope and frustration. United, dominating possession with roughly 65% of the ball, responded with increased urgency but struggled to convert chances into goals in the opening stages.
As the match progressed, United’s persistence paid off. Two well-worked efforts, one finished by Benjamin Šeško from a Bruno Fernandes assist and another via a clinical strike later in the half, turned the game, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage at the hour mark.
However, Burnley’s resilience shone through as they rallied to force parity, with a smartly taken goal earning them a deserved 2-2 draw. Despite Manchester United’s statistical superiority, including more than 30 total shots and a significantly higher expected goals figure, the hosts stood firm in defence and refused to yield.
In the end, neither side could find a winner, but what unfolded was a compelling, end-to-end drama, a game that underlined both United’s attacking promise and Burnley’s dogged resolve on home turf. Sportsdunia delves deep into the Burnley Vs Manchester United Player Ratings.
Key Takeaways from the Match
Manchester United controlled possession and chances but fell behind early due to an own goal.
Goals, including Šeško’s finish from Bruno Fernandes’ assist, turned the game in United’s favour.
Gritty defending and a timely equaliser earned Burnley a hard-fought 2–2 draw.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Burnley 2–2 Manchester United |
| Competition | Premier League (EPL) |
| Date / Time | 7 January 2026 |
| MOTM (Player of the Match) | Benjamin Šeško – 9/10 |
| Best Performer (Manchester United) | Benjamin Šeško – 9/10 |
| Best Performer (Burnley) | Martin Dúbravka – 8/10 |
| Worst Performer (Manchester United) | Ayden Heaven – 5/10 |
| Worst Performer (Burnley) | Florentino – 5.5/10 |
Manchester United Player Ratings vs Burnley
Let's take a deeper look at the Manchester United Player Ratings.
Goalkeeper
Senne Lammens - 6.0: A somewhat quiet day for the keeper in terms of saves. He couldn't do anything about the own goal, of course. For the second Burnley goal, he was left exposed by his defense. His distribution was decent, but he wasn't tested nearly as much as his counterpart.
Defenders
Diogo Dalot - 7.0: A very solid and reliable performance. We noticed he was perfect in his duels, winning all five he contested. He also completed a hundred percent of his tackles and crosses. Defensively sound and offered support going forward when needed. A tidy display.
Lisandro Martínez - 7.0: The captain led from the back with his usual aggression. He was strong in the duel, winning five of seven, and his pass accuracy was an impressive 95%. He pushed the team forward with 14 passes into the final third. A commanding presence despite the two goals conceded.
Luke Shaw - 6.5: Had a mixed bag of a game. His passing was almost perfect, which was incredible to see. He created two chances and provided an outlet on the left. However, from our perspective, he seemed vulnerable defensively at times and lost his man for the second Burnley goal.
Ayden Heaven - 5.0: A day to forget for the young man. The own goal in the 13th minute was a moment of sheer misfortune that put his team on the back foot. While he made some recoveries, that error hangs heavy over his performance. We felt for him, as his confidence visibly dipped afterwards.
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Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes - 7.5: A classic Bruno performance full of creativity and risk. He created five chances and provided a sublime through ball for the first goal. He was desperately unlucky to see his own shot cannon off the post. The only downside was losing possession ten times, but that's the price you pay for his style of play.
Matheus Cunha - 7.0: A lively and energetic display in the middle of the park. He was always looking to make things happen, getting a couple of shots on target and showing good dribbling ability. He worked hard for the team before being substituted. A positive contribution.
Patrick Dorgu - 8.0: What stood out to us was his all-action performance. He was a menace down the left flank, creating five chances and bagging an assist for the second goal. He also put in a serious defensive shift, winning nine duels. A fantastic, well-rounded game.
Casemiro - 7.0: The veteran was a steadying influence in midfield. He created four chances and was a key part of United's build-up play. However, he was dribbled past four times, which is a bit of a concern. He looked a bit off the pace at moments but his experience was valuable.
Manuel Ugarte - 7.0: A terrier in midfield. He won seven of his thirteen duels and was a constant nuisance for the Burnley players. His three interceptions helped break up play effectively. He provided the defensive steel that allowed the more creative players to flourish.
Forwards
Benjamin Sesko - 9.0: Absolutely lethal. The highest-rated player on the pitch and for good reason. His two goals were expertly taken, dragging his team back into the match and then into the lead. He was a constant handful, registering an incredible seven shots on target. A truly world-class striker's performance.
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Substitutes
Mason Mount - 6.5: Came on for Bruno and kept the tempo high. He even assisted a shot for Shea Lacey that hit the crossbar.
Leny Yoro - 6.0: Replaced the unfortunate Heaven and looked solid enough, though Burnley scored their equalizer while he was on.
Joshua Zirkzee - 6.5: Looked bright after coming on, creating a great chance for Dorgu.
Kobbie Mainoo - 6.0: Brought on to add some control in midfield and did his job without much fuss.
Shea Lacey - 7.0: Almost a dream introduction, rattling the crossbar with a great effort from distance. Looked fearless.
Manager
No manager data was available for this match, but the tactical switch at halftime clearly worked wonders. The introduction of substitutes also brought fresh energy. The inability to hold the lead, however, will be a point of frustration.
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Burnley Player Ratings vs Manchester United
Goalkeeper
Martin Dúbravka - 8.0: Burnley have their goalkeeper to thank for this point. He was simply outstanding, making six saves, many of them crucial stops inside the box. His save to deny a Patrick Dorgu effort in the top corner was breathtaking. A heroic performance that kept his team in the contest.
Defenders
Maxime Estève - 7.5: A warrior at the back. He put his body on the line with three blocked shots and five clearances, including one off the line. He struggled at times against Sesko but never gave up the fight. A really determined and gritty defensive display.
Bashir Humphreys - 6.5: Had a busy afternoon against United's fluid attack. He made seven clearances and also had a clearance off the line. However, he was dribbled past twice and struggled with the movement of the attackers at times. A decent, if challenging, performance.
Josh Laurent - 6.5: Deployed in a defensive role, he put in a shift. He made three successful tackles from five attempts and was strong in his duels. His distribution was solid, helping to launch attacks from deeper positions. A committed effort.
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Midfielders
Kyle Walker - 6.0: The captain had a tough game. He struggled to impose himself, losing possession 14 times. He worked hard, but from our perspective, the pace and movement of United's midfield often overwhelmed him. Not his best day at the office.
Lesley Ugochukwu - 6.0: It was a difficult midfield battle for him. He won only two of his nine duels and looked a bit overrun. He did make some important blocks and interceptions but was largely on the back foot for most of the game.
Florentino - 5.5: A poor performance. An error leading to a shot put his team under unnecessary pressure. He struggled to make an impact on the game, losing key duels and looking off the pace. A performance he will want to move on from quickly.
Lucas Pires - 6.0: He showed some bright moments going forward but was a defensive liability. We noticed he was dribbled past four times, which is far too many for a player in his position. He lost possession frequently and his final ball was lacking.
Forwards
Marcus Edwards - 7.5: Burnley's main creative spark. He provided the crucial assist for the equalizing goal and created two other chances. He was a constant threat with his dribbling and trickery. A very impressive and influential performance.
Armando Broja - 6.0: He worked tirelessly up front, winning a good number of his duels. However, he offered little goal threat and was often isolated. He put in the effort but lacked the quality in the final third to make a real difference.
Hannibal - 6.0: A feisty and energetic display, but it lacked discipline. He picked up a yellow card and was substituted early in the second half. He showed flashes of quality but his temperament got the better of him.
Substitutes
Jaidon Anthony - 7.5: The perfect impact sub. He came on and scored a brilliant goal just eight minutes later to rescue a point for his team. His introduction completely changed the dynamic of Burnley's attack.
Lyle Foster - 6.0: Was caught offside a couple of times and didn't have a major impact on the game after his introduction.
Manager
S. Parker - 7.5: His team showed incredible fight and resilience. After going behind, many teams would have crumbled, but they fought back. His decision to bring on Jaidon Anthony was a stroke of genius that paid off handsomely, securing a vital point.
Player of the Match
Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Benjamin Sesko.
Worst Performer
The player with the lowest performance in Burnley Vs Manchester United Player Ratings was Ayden Heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Manchester United vs Burnley?+
The Manchester United vs Burnley match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
When was Manchester United vs Burnley?+
The Manchester United vs Burnley match was played on January 7, 2026.
Who was the man of the match in Manchester United vs Burnley?+
Benjamin Sesko was the man of the match after scoring two excellent goals.
Who was the worst performer in Manchester United vs Burnley?+
Ayden Heaven had a difficult game, scoring an unfortunate own goal early on.
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