🔗 Share this article

Amorim's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results is remarkable for all the negative causes. In the Premier League era, no United manager has managed a worse points return, or achieved a final position as disappointing as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of games. Additionally, he famously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Spurs, namely Postecoglou's side of the North London club.

The game, though, is rarely so black and white. Despite the criticism of his favored system, the Portuguese manager exits a team in a far better state than that which he found. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising their opponents as the best side they had faced in a while. The football in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Even though it is hard to dispute the termination—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about bosses with more miserable histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by terrible luck. If injuries to key players not coincided with the absence of other pivotal figures, he might remain in the role—possibly thriving.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively stable state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just prudent management of this skilled group ought to be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not be a pushover. Even with boasting only a dozen points and having lost three of their most recent five outings, their performances have frequently been more impressive than the results suggest. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his side revved up to attack the visitors who are expected to field an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have gone without for a year or more.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.