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The former manager's time at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable disappointment. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the poor factors. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed fewer points per game, nor secured a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a greater proportion of games. Furthermore, he notoriously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham, namely the current iteration of the North London club.

The game, however, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, Amorim exits a team in a much stronger state than that which he took over. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton, Welbeck shared that teammates were praising United as the best team they had encountered in a while. The football in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Although it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly caused by his comments about bosses with even worse histories—Amorim's demise was ultimately hampered by atrocious luck. Had injuries to crucial personnel not coincided with the unavailability of other important figures, he could still be in the job—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive state of affairs. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the African tournament. Just careful management of this skilled squad is expected to be sufficient to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Task

Burnley, but, are unlikely to be a pushover. Even with boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five games, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines show. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his team fired up to get after the visitors who are set to start an starting eleven that has never played together, set up in a system they have not used for over a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.