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The former manager's tenure at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a significant failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the wrong factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, nor secured a final position as low as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly the current iteration of the North London club.

Football, but, is not often so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his favored system, Amorim exits a team in a far better state than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that teammates were praising United as the finest opposition they had encountered in a long time. The play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his remarks regarding superiors with more miserable histories—his exit was in the end hampered by atrocious luck. If injuries to crucial players not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he may remain in the position—possibly succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive scenario. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Just sensible husbandry of this gifted roster should be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European football for next season—probably in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, are unlikely to make things easy. Although boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five outings, their showings have at times been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his team pumped up to get after opponents who are expected to start an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a setup they have been denied for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.