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Amorim's spell at the Red Devils has been labeled a significant failure. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the wrong causes. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor managed a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in the team's history by suffering a cup final defeat to Spurs, namely Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

Football, though, is not often that simple. Despite the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a significantly improved state than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding their opponents as the most impressive side they had encountered in a while. The football in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

While it is difficult to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly caused by his comments about bosses with more miserable track records—his demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious luck. If injuries to key personnel not occurred alongside the absence of other pivotal individuals, he might remain in the role—maybe thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid state of affairs. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Merely careful husbandry of this skilled roster should be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—probably in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Test

The home side, but, are unlikely to roll over. Although boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their last five outings, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the results show. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are expected to field an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a system they have been denied for over a year.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.