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Amorim's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major failure. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the negative factors. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, or secured a standing as disappointing as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a larger share of matches. Moreover, he infamously etched his name in United's annals by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Postecoglou's version of the North London club.

Football, though, is rarely that simple. Despite the negative press of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved position than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the finest team they had played against in a long time. Their play in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

Although it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was said to be caused by his comments about superiors with poorer track records—his exit was in the end stymied by atrocious fortune. Had fitness issues for vital players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other pivotal individuals, he might remain in the job—perhaps even.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, Fletcher steps into a fairly positive scenario. Key figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the African tournament. Simply prudent husbandry of this skilled group should be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't be a pushover. Even with having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five outings, their performances have often been better than the results show. Head coach Parker will surely have his side revved up to take the game to the visitors who are likely to field an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a formation they have gone without for more than a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.