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Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a notable failure. By any measure, his results stands out for all the negative reasons. During the Premier League era, no boss at the club has recorded fewer points per game, nor achieved a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a greater proportion of games. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in United's annals by enduring a final loss to Spurs, particularly Ange Postecoglou's side of the North London club.

Football, however, is rarely so straightforward. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager exits a club in a significantly improved state than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive side they had played against in a long time. The play in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

While it is hard to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be caused by his criticism of executives with more miserable records—his demise was finally hampered by terrible luck. Had fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the absence of other important members, he could still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher steps into a reasonably solid state of affairs. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Simply prudent stewardship of this gifted squad should be adequate to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the coveted Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

Burnley, however, are unlikely to make things easy. Although boasting only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their previous five games, their showings have at times been more impressive than the scorelines indicate. Head coach Parker will surely have his team fired up to get after United who are set to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a setup they have been denied for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.