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Amorim's time at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a notable letdown. Statistically speaking, his performance stands out for all the negative reasons. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, or secured a final position as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of games. Furthermore, he notoriously etched his name in club lore by enduring a final loss to Tottenham, specifically the current version of the North London club.

Football, but, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he leaves behind a squad in a far better position than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising their opponents as the best team they had encountered in some time. The performance in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.

Even though it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his criticism of superiors with even worse histories—his demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious luck. Had injuries to crucial personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important members, he could remain in the role—maybe thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable situation. Star figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply careful management of this talented roster is expected to be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the coveted Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with boasting only a dozen points and having lost three of their previous five matches, their performances have frequently been better than the results show. Boss Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are set to field an starting eleven that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.