🔗 Share this article

The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the wrong causes. In the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a lower points average, nor achieved a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

The game, however, is rarely so black and white. In spite of the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a team in a much stronger state than the one he found. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that teammates were lauding their opponents as the finest opposition they had encountered in a while. The performance in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be caused by his comments about bosses with even worse records—his demise was ultimately hampered by terrible fortune. Had fitness issues for crucial players not coincided with the loss of other essential individuals, he may remain in the role—possibly even.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a fairly positive situation. Important figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just sensible stewardship of this talented squad should be enough to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Test

Vincent Kompany's team, however, will not be a pushover. Despite having only a dozen points and losing three of their most recent five matches, their displays have often been better than the outcomes suggest. Head coach Parker will certainly have his side fired up to take the game to the visitors who are set to field an XI that has not had time to gel, arranged in a formation they have not used for over a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.