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Ruben Amorim's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable failure. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the negative factors. In the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved a lower points average, nor achieved a league finish as low as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of games. Additionally, he infamously secured a place in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

Life, but, is seldom so straightforward. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, he exits a club in a much stronger condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were hailing United as the best side they had encountered in a while. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

Although it is hard to argue against the termination—particularly given it was said to be caused by his criticism of superiors with even worse track records—his demise was in the end stymied by awful luck. If the absence of key personnel not happened at the same time as the loss of other essential individuals, he could still be in the role—maybe even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a fairly stable situation. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely sensible management of this skilled roster is expected to be adequate to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—most likely in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Task

Burnley, but, won't roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and losing three of their last five matches, their showings have often been better than the results suggest. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to get after United who are expected to play an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have gone without for over a year.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.