The Clarets Face Off Against Manchester United in Key English Top Division Fixture

Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable letdown. Statistically speaking, his record is notable for all the poor causes. In the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a lower points average, or achieved a league finish as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Moreover, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Football, though, is seldom so black and white. Regardless of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a much stronger position than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that teammates were praising United as the best opposition they had encountered in some time. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.

While it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his remarks regarding superiors with more miserable track records—his demise was finally hindered by terrible luck. If injuries to vital stars not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other pivotal individuals, he could remain in the position—possibly even.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just careful husbandry of this gifted roster ought to be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for next season—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Task

Burnley, but, will not make things easy. Despite boasting only 12 points and losing 3 of their last five outings, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an XI that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have not used for more than a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.