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The former manager's time at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his performance stands out for all the poor factors. In the Premier League era, no United manager has managed a lower points average, nor secured a standing as low as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in United's annals by experiencing a loss in a final to Spurs, particularly Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, but, is not often so black and white. Despite the negative press of his favored system, he leaves behind a squad in a far better condition than the one he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding United as the most impressive team they had played against in some time. Their performance in a thrilling four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.

Although it is hard to dispute the termination—especially given it was said to be caused by his comments about bosses with even worse track records—Amorim's downfall was in the end hampered by terrible fortune. If injuries to crucial personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other essential members, he could still be in the position—maybe succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Darren Fletcher takes over a fairly positive state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Afcon. Simply prudent husbandry of this skilled roster ought to be enough to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't make things easy. Even with having only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their last five games, their displays have at times been more impressive than the results suggest. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his team pumped up to get after opponents who are set to play an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have gone without for over a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.