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Ruben Amorim's spell at Manchester United was widely regarded as a major disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the negative causes. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a worse points return, or achieved a standing as poor as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously carved a niche in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, specifically the current side of Spurs.

The game, but, is not often so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a team in a significantly improved position than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton, Welbeck shared that fellow players were lauding United as the best opposition they had played against in a while. The performance in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his criticism of executives with even worse track records—Amorim's demise was ultimately hampered by awful fortune. Had injuries to vital personnel not coincided with the unavailability of other essential members, he could remain in the role—perhaps thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive scenario. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Merely prudent stewardship of this skilled roster should be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European football for next season—probably in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Although boasting only a dozen points and suffering defeats in 3 of their previous five matches, their performances have at times been stronger than the outcomes suggest. Head coach Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to take the game to opponents who are expected to start an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a system they have not used for a year or more.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.