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Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the negative reasons. In the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, nor secured a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of games. Moreover, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham, particularly Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

The game, however, is not often so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his tactical approach, Amorim leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved state than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that his colleagues were lauding their opponents as the best opposition they had encountered in a while. Their football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is tough to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his criticism of bosses with more miserable track records—his demise was in the end hampered by atrocious fortune. If fitness issues for key players not coincided with the absence of other essential members, he could still be in the role—possibly even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Fletcher inherits a relatively stable situation. Star figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Just careful management of this skilled roster should be adequate to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with having only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five matches, their performances have at times been more impressive than the results indicate. Head coach Parker will surely have his side fired up to take the game to United who are expected to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.