🔗 Share this article

Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant failure. By any measure, his results is notable for all the negative reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed fewer points per game, nor managed a league finish as low as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to revisit 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 United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Life, however, is seldom so black and white. In spite of the criticism of his favored system, he leaves behind a team in a much stronger position than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the best side they had encountered in a long time. The performance in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exciting.

Although it is difficult to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly caused by his comments about superiors with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was in the end stymied by awful fortune. Had injuries to crucial personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other pivotal figures, he might still be in the position—possibly thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Fletcher takes over a fairly stable state of affairs. Key figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Merely sensible husbandry of this gifted roster should be enough to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

Vincent Kompany's team, though, won't make things easy. Despite having only twelve points and losing three of their last five games, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines show. Head coach Parker will undoubtedly have his side pumped up to get after United who are set to play an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a formation they have not used for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.