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Amorim's tenure at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the negative causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has achieved a lower points average, or managed a final position as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Football, but, is seldom so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he leaves behind a club in a far better position than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the most impressive team they had encountered in a while. Their play in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Even though it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about executives with more miserable histories—his downfall was ultimately stymied by awful fortune. Had injuries to vital personnel not coincided with the absence of other essential members, he might remain in the role—possibly even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, Fletcher takes over a relatively solid scenario. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Afcon. Merely prudent management of this talented group ought to be sufficient to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—probably in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Burnley, but, will not roll over. Although boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their last five games, their showings have frequently been better than the outcomes show. Manager Parker will certainly have his team revved up to take the game to United who are set to field an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a formation they have not used for over a year.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.