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Amorim's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. By any measure, his record is remarkable for all the poor reasons. During the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, nor managed a final position as low as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a higher percentage of games. Moreover, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Football, however, is rarely so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his tactical approach, he leaves behind a team in a much stronger position than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that teammates were hailing United as the most impressive team they had played against in some time. Their performance in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his comments about superiors with poorer track records—his demise was in the end stymied by terrible luck. If fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the loss of other essential figures, he could still be in the job—maybe even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a relatively solid situation. Star figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible husbandry of this talented roster is expected to be sufficient to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the following term—probably in the elite Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Task

The home side, though, will not make things easy. Although boasting only a dozen points and suffering defeats in 3 of their previous five outings, their performances have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes show. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his squad fired up to get after opponents who are expected to field an XI that has lacked cohesion, set up in a system they have been denied for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.