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The former manager's spell at Manchester United was widely regarded as a major letdown. By any measure, his record is remarkable for all the wrong reasons. During the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved fewer points per game, nor secured a final position as low as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Additionally, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a final loss to Spurs, namely the current side of Spurs.

Football, however, is rarely that simple. Despite the negative press of his favored system, Amorim exits a club in a far better condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that his colleagues were lauding their opponents as the finest side they had played against in a long time. Their performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Although it is hard to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about bosses with more miserable track records—Amorim's downfall was finally hampered by terrible fortune. If injuries to vital players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other pivotal figures, he might remain in the role—maybe even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid situation. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful management of this skilled roster ought to be sufficient to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Test

Burnley, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Despite having only 12 points and having lost 3 of their last five games, their performances have often been better than the outcomes show. Boss Parker will surely have his squad fired up to take the game to United who are likely to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a system they have not used for over a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.