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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results is remarkable for all the negative factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor managed a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. 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 games. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically the current version of the North London club.

Football, but, is seldom so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a far better state than that which he took over. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were lauding their opponents as the finest opposition they had faced in a while. Their performance in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

While it is tough to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his criticism of executives with more miserable track records—his exit was ultimately hindered by awful luck. Had fitness issues for vital personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other pivotal individuals, he might remain in the job—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable scenario. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just prudent husbandry of this skilled group should be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

The home side, however, will not roll over. Despite having only twelve points and losing three of their previous five games, their displays have often been better than the scorelines show. Manager Parker will surely have his team revved up to take the game to opponents who are expected to play an XI that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have gone without for more than a year.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.