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Amorim's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a notable disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results is notable for all the negative factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved fewer points per game, or secured a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of fixtures. Moreover, he notoriously carved a niche in the team's history by suffering a cup final defeat to Spurs, particularly Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Life, however, is rarely so straightforward. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a team in a much stronger condition than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the most impressive team they had encountered in some time. The play in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exciting.

Although it is hard to argue against the termination—especially given it was reportedly caused by his comments about superiors with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by atrocious fortune. Had fitness issues for crucial personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other important figures, he might still be in the position—perhaps succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a relatively solid situation. Key figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly return from the African tournament. Merely careful management of this talented roster ought to be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—probably in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Test

The home side, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Even with having only twelve points and having lost 3 of their most recent five matches, their displays have at times been better than the results suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to attack the visitors who are likely to field an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a setup they have been denied for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.