Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has had his say on Darren Fletcher’s first match in charge of Manchester United as caretaker manager against Burnley on Wednesday.
The Red Devils will travel to Turf Moor and sixth-place Manchester United are without a permanent manager after the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday.
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Ruben Amorim’s United reign came to an end after the Red Devils’ 1-1 Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United Under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher has temporarily stepped in to help fill the void left behind by the 40-year-old former United manager’s exit.
Fletcher’s role as caretaker manager is expected to be temporary, with the Red Devils tipped to appoint an interim boss until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Paul Merson reacts to Ruben Amorim’s Premier League exit amid his Burnley vs Man Utd prediction
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United reign lasted only 14 months before the former Sporting CP head coach was abruptly axed from the Premier League club.
The Portuguese coach came out swinging with his words in his post-match press conference on Sunday, with Amorim taking aim at the club’s hierarchy.
Speaking in his Sportskeeda column, Paul Merson believes that Amorim’s departure from Old Trafford opens up the question around Marcus Rashford’s future as well.
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“Darren Fletcher will be in charge of Manchester United, so I expect changes in this game,” he said.
“United have no confidence at the moment, though. Let’s be honest, if anybody was going to win the game last weekend, it was Leeds and not them!
“After the sacking of Ruben Amorim, there is talk of whether Marcus Rashford should return to Manchester United.
“I think it all depends on who is in charge at the club. Does United need a manager or a coach? That is the million-dollar question now, isn’t it?”
Paul Merson singles out Kobbie Mainoo during his Premier League scoreline prediction for Burnley vs Man Utd
Kobbie Mainoo has missed the Red Devils’ last five Premier League matches due to a calf injury amid the United midfielder’s woes under former United boss Amorim.
The 20-year-old Stockport-born midfielder lost his place in the United starting XI under Amorim in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
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However, Merson admitted that he would be stunned if England star Kobbie Mainoo is not back featuring against Burnley should the player overcome his injury.
“If Kobbie Mainoo is fit and doesn’t play against Burnley, I’d be flabbergasted,” he continued.
“Last weekend was the first time I saw Burnley getting well beat[en]. It may not have been 3-0 or 4-0, but they were second-best all the time. United to win even though they aren’t great.”
Merson has backed Darren Fletcher’s men to pick up all three Premier League points on their visit to Turf Moor and has predicted a 2-1 scoreline in favour of United.
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