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Ruben Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the wrong factors. In the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has achieved fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of fixtures. Moreover, he notoriously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Spurs, particularly Postecoglou's version of the North London club.

The game, however, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager exits a club in a significantly improved condition than the one he took over. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were praising United as the most impressive team they had encountered in some time. The play in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

While it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's exit was in the end hampered by terrible fortune. If the absence of key players not occurred alongside the unavailability of other essential figures, he may still be in the position—maybe succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive scenario. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Afcon. Just sensible stewardship of this talented squad should be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

The home side, but, will not roll over. Even with having only 12 points and having lost three of their most recent five matches, their showings have frequently been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his squad revved up to attack opponents who are expected to play an XI that has lacked cohesion, set up in a formation they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.