🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a notable letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results stands out for all the wrong factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded fewer points per game, or managed a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he infamously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely the current iteration of Spurs.

The game, but, is rarely so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a significantly improved state than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck shared that his colleagues were hailing United as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in a long time. The football in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.

Although it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his remarks regarding executives with even worse records—his exit was ultimately hindered by awful luck. Had fitness issues for key players not coincided with the unavailability of other essential figures, he might still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher takes over a fairly stable situation. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just prudent management of this talented squad should be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

The home side, however, won't be a pushover. Even with boasting only twelve points and having lost three of their most recent five outings, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines show. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team revved up to get after the visitors who are likely to play an lineup that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.