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Amorim's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major disappointment. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the negative reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, or achieved a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager 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 the team's history by enduring a final loss to Tottenham, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of the North London club.

Football, however, is not often that simple. Despite the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim exits a squad in a much stronger state than the one he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton, Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising United as the most impressive team they had played against in some time. The football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.

While it is tough to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was said to be caused by his comments about bosses with poorer track records—Amorim's demise was in the end hampered by awful luck. If fitness issues for vital personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important figures, he could still be in the position—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Fletcher takes over a fairly stable state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the African tournament. Merely prudent management of this skilled group should be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Burnley, however, won't roll over. Although boasting only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five matches, their showings have often been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Boss Parker will surely have his side revved up to attack United who are set to start an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.