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Amorim's tenure at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Statistically speaking, his performance stands out for all the negative reasons. During the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has managed fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of matches. Moreover, he infamously secured a place in club lore by suffering a loss in a final to Spurs, specifically the current iteration of the North London club.

Football, though, is seldom that simple. Despite the criticism of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a club in a far better condition than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck reported that teammates were hailing their opponents as the most impressive team they had played against in a while. Their football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about superiors with even worse records—Amorim's demise was in the end hampered by atrocious fortune. Had fitness issues for key stars not occurred alongside the absence of other important members, he might still be in the position—perhaps even.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively positive situation. Important figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Afcon. Merely careful husbandry of this gifted group ought to be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the following term—probably in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

Burnley, but, won't roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and losing 3 of their previous five outings, their displays have often been better than the scorelines show. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to get after United who are set to field an XI that has lacked cohesion, set up in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.