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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford has been labeled a notable disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his results is notable for all the poor reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, or achieved a final position as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Additionally, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham, particularly Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

The game, though, is seldom that simple. Despite the scrutiny of his tactical approach, he departs from a club in a significantly improved position than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were lauding United as the best side they had faced in some time. Their performance in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and thrilling.

While it is tough to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with more miserable records—his downfall was ultimately hindered by terrible luck. Had injuries to crucial players not occurred alongside the loss of other important individuals, he could still be in the role—maybe succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably solid scenario. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the African tournament. Just prudent stewardship of this gifted squad is expected to be sufficient to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—most likely in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't make things easy. Even with having only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their most recent five matches, their showings have often been stronger than the scorelines indicate. Head coach Parker will certainly have his team fired up to get after United who are set to play an starting eleven that has never played together, set up in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.