🔗 Share this article

The former manager's time at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major letdown. By any measure, his results is remarkable for all the poor factors. In the Premier League era, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, or secured a league finish as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a larger share of games. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

Football, however, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim leaves behind a team in a significantly improved position than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising their opponents as the most impressive team they had faced in a while. Their football in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Even though it is hard to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with poorer histories—Amorim's demise was ultimately stymied by terrible fortune. Had the absence of vital players not occurred alongside the unavailability of other pivotal individuals, he may still be in the position—perhaps even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher inherits a relatively stable situation. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Just careful husbandry of this talented group ought to be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, won't be a pushover. Despite boasting only 12 points and losing three of their most recent five games, their showings have at times been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his squad revved up to get after opponents who are set to start an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have gone without for over a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.