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The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils has been labeled a major failure. By any measure, his results is remarkable for all the negative reasons. Throughout the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as poor as the 15th spot. 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 larger share of games. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in club lore by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

Life, but, is rarely that simple. In spite of the criticism of his favored system, Amorim exits a team in a far better condition than the one he took over. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising United as the best opposition they had encountered in a while. Their play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

Even though it is tough to contest the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly caused by his remarks regarding superiors with poorer track records—Amorim's downfall was in the end hampered by terrible fortune. If fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the loss of other important members, he might still be in the role—maybe thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable state of affairs. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely prudent stewardship of this skilled roster should be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the following term—probably in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Test

Burnley, however, are unlikely to roll over. Even with having only 12 points and losing three of their most recent five matches, their showings have at times been better than the results suggest. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his team pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are expected to field an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.