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The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major failure. By any measure, his results is notable for all the wrong causes. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, nor achieved a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously etched his name in United's annals by experiencing a final loss to Spurs, particularly Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Life, however, is not often so black and white. Despite the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a squad in a far better position than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, Welbeck shared that his colleagues were lauding United as the finest team they had faced in a long time. The football in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Even though it is difficult to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his comments about bosses with even worse records—his downfall was finally stymied by awful luck. If fitness issues for vital personnel not occurred alongside the absence of other important members, he might remain in the job—maybe succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Fletcher takes over a fairly stable state of affairs. Star players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just sensible husbandry of this skilled squad is expected to be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the following term—probably in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

Burnley, though, won't make things easy. Even with having only twelve points and having lost 3 of their previous five matches, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to get after United who are set to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have gone without for over a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.