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Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major failure. By any measure, his record is notable for all the negative causes. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, or managed a league finish as disappointing as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of games. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in United's annals by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, particularly the current version of Tottenham.

The game, however, is not often that simple. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, he exits a squad in a significantly improved condition than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck reported that teammates were hailing their opponents as the most impressive team they had faced in some time. The football in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

Even though it is tough to dispute the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his remarks regarding superiors with more miserable records—Amorim's demise was finally stymied by terrible luck. Had fitness issues for key stars not coincided with the absence of other essential members, he may remain in the role—possibly thriving.

A New Era Begins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively stable situation. Important figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Just sensible stewardship of this gifted group is expected to be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European competition for next season—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Test

Vincent Kompany's team, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Although having only twelve points and having lost 3 of their most recent five matches, their showings have often been better than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to take the game to United who are expected to field an lineup that has never played together, arranged in a formation they have gone without for over a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.