🔗 Share this article

Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his results is notable for all the wrong reasons. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has managed a worse points return, or achieved a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of fixtures. Moreover, he infamously etched his name in club lore by enduring a final loss to Spurs, particularly Postecoglou's version of the North London club.

Football, however, is not often so straightforward. Despite the negative press of his tactical approach, he leaves behind a team in a much stronger state than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck shared that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the best team they had faced in some time. Their play in a thrilling four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Although it is hard to dispute the termination—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about executives with poorer histories—his demise was finally hampered by terrible luck. If injuries to key personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other essential members, he might still be in the role—possibly even.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a relatively solid situation. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly return from the Afcon. Merely prudent husbandry of this skilled squad is expected to be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European football for next season—most likely in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Task

The home side, however, will not make things easy. Even with boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their most recent five outings, their showings have frequently been better than the results indicate. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his side pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are set to field an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.