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Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable disappointment. Statistically speaking, his performance is remarkable for all the wrong factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a lower points average, nor achieved a league finish as disappointing as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of fixtures. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by experiencing a loss in a final to Spurs, specifically the current side of Tottenham.

Life, however, is not often so straightforward. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he leaves behind a club in a far better position than the one he inherited. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding United as the best opposition they had played against in a while. The play in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

Although it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about bosses with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by atrocious fortune. Had fitness issues for key stars not occurred alongside the absence of other essential members, he could remain in the role—maybe even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Darren Fletcher takes over a fairly solid state of affairs. Star players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Afcon. Simply prudent stewardship of this talented group ought to be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with having only a dozen points and having lost three of their previous five matches, their displays have often been stronger than the results show. Boss Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to take the game to opponents who are set to play an XI that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.