🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. By any measure, his results stands out for all the wrong causes. In the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, nor managed a standing as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he famously etched his name in club lore by suffering a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly the current iteration of Spurs.

The game, though, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his tactical approach, Amorim departs from a club in a far better position than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in a long time. The performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.

Although it is tough to contest the termination—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his comments about executives with even worse histories—his downfall was in the end hampered by awful luck. Had fitness issues for vital personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other essential individuals, he could still be in the job—maybe even.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the African tournament. Simply sensible stewardship of this gifted group should be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

The home side, though, will not roll over. Despite boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their last five games, their performances have often been more impressive than the outcomes suggest. Head coach Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to get after United who are expected to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, set up in a setup they have not used for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.