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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a significant disappointment. Statistically speaking, his record is notable for all the negative factors. During the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved a worse points return, nor managed a final position as poor as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a larger share of games. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in club lore by suffering a final loss to Tottenham, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Life, though, is not often so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a squad in a much stronger condition than the one he inherited. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding their opponents as the best opposition they had faced in a long time. Their performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

Even though it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his remarks regarding bosses with even worse histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by terrible fortune. Had the absence of key stars not happened at the same time as the absence of other essential members, he may remain in the job—maybe even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a reasonably solid state of affairs. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the African tournament. Just prudent management of this talented roster is expected to be sufficient to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Task

The home side, though, will not roll over. Even with having only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their most recent five games, their showings have frequently been better than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad revved up to take the game to United who are set to field an XI that has never played together, set up in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.