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Ruben Amorim's spell at Manchester United was widely regarded as a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the poor causes. In the Premier League era, no boss at the club has recorded fewer points per game, nor secured a league finish as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Additionally, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly the current side of Tottenham.

Football, however, is seldom that simple. Despite the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim departs from a club in a much stronger condition than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding United as the finest side they had played against in a while. The football in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling.

While it is difficult to contest the termination—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his remarks regarding bosses with more miserable histories—his downfall was in the end stymied by awful fortune. If fitness issues for crucial personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other pivotal figures, he may still be in the role—maybe succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher steps into a relatively positive situation. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible management of this talented roster ought to be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not be a pushover. Despite having only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their most recent five games, their showings have at times been stronger than the scorelines indicate. Manager Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to get after United who are expected to start an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, arranged in a system they have been denied for a year or more.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.