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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a significant letdown. Statistically speaking, his performance is remarkable for all the wrong reasons. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has managed fewer points per game, nor managed a league finish as disappointing as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of matches. Moreover, he famously secured a place in United's annals by experiencing a cup final defeat to Spurs, namely Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

Football, though, is not often that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his favored system, he departs from a club in a far better state than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising United as the finest team they had encountered in a while. The football in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

Although it is tough to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his comments about executives with poorer histories—his demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious fortune. If fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he could remain in the role—maybe succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a fairly positive scenario. Star players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Afcon. Merely prudent management of this skilled squad ought to be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for next season—most likely in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Test

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not be a pushover. Despite boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their last five games, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes show. Head coach Parker will undoubtedly have his squad pumped up to get after the visitors who are set to field an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, set up in a formation they have not used for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.