🔗 Share this article

The former manager's time at Old Trafford has been labeled a major failure. By any measure, his results stands out for all the wrong factors. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, nor secured a standing as disappointing as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of games. Additionally, he famously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

The game, however, is not often that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a team in a significantly improved position than the one he found. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the finest side they had faced in a long time. The play in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and thrilling.

While it is tough to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of superiors with even worse histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hampered by terrible fortune. If fitness issues for vital personnel not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he may remain in the job—maybe thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid scenario. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the Afcon. Simply prudent stewardship of this gifted roster is expected to be adequate to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for next season—probably in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Burnley, though, will not roll over. Although having only 12 points and having lost three of their most recent five outings, their performances have frequently been more impressive than the scorelines indicate. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his side pumped up to attack the visitors who are set to start an XI that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have not used for over a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.