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Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils has been labeled a significant disappointment. By any measure, his results is remarkable for all the wrong factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded fewer points per game, nor managed a final position as disappointing as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of fixtures. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

The game, though, is rarely so black and white. Despite the negative press of his tactical approach, Amorim departs from a team in a far better state than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that his colleagues were lauding their opponents as the finest opposition they had encountered in a while. Their football in a thrilling four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

While it is tough to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his criticism of bosses with even worse records—his demise was finally hampered by awful fortune. Had the absence of vital players not happened at the same time as the absence of other pivotal members, he could remain in the position—maybe even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive situation. Star players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly return from the African tournament. Just prudent stewardship of this gifted group should be sufficient to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the following term—in all likelihood in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

The home side, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Despite having only twelve points and losing three of their last five games, their displays have at times been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team revved up to attack the visitors who are likely to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, deployed in a system they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.