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Amorim's time at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his performance is remarkable for all the wrong reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, nor managed a standing as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a larger share of matches. Moreover, he notoriously secured a place in club lore by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, namely the current iteration of Tottenham.

The game, though, is not often so black and white. Despite the negative press of his favored system, he leaves behind a club in a much stronger state than that which he inherited. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton, Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising their opponents as the most impressive side they had faced in some time. The play in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling.

While it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his comments about bosses with more miserable histories—Amorim's downfall was ultimately stymied by terrible luck. Had the absence of vital personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other important individuals, he could still be in the job—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly stable state of affairs. Important players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the African tournament. Merely careful stewardship of this gifted squad is expected to be sufficient to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Task

Burnley, but, will not make things easy. Although having only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five games, their performances have at times been better than the outcomes show. Head coach Parker will certainly have his side pumped up to attack United who are expected to play an starting eleven that has never played together, set up in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.