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Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United has been labeled a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his results is remarkable for all the negative factors. During the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded fewer points per game, or achieved a final position as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to 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 notoriously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a loss in a final to Spurs, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

The game, however, is seldom that simple. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a significantly improved condition than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive team they had played against in a while. Their football in a thrilling four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is difficult to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his criticism of superiors with more miserable records—his exit was finally hampered by awful luck. If injuries to crucial players not happened at the same time as the loss of other essential figures, he might remain in the role—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively positive state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the African tournament. Merely careful stewardship of this gifted squad ought to be sufficient to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for next season—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, are unlikely to roll over. Although boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their previous five matches, their performances have often been stronger than the outcomes show. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his squad revved up to get after United who are set to play an lineup that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.