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Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant letdown. Statistically speaking, his record is notable for all the negative factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded fewer points per game, nor achieved a final position as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of games. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in United's annals by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham, namely the current iteration of the North London club.

Football, but, is seldom that simple. In spite of the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a far better state than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding United as the best opposition they had played against in some time. The play in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

While it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly sparked by his remarks regarding executives with poorer histories—Amorim's demise was in the end stymied by terrible fortune. If injuries to vital personnel not happened at the same time as the absence of other pivotal figures, he might still be in the role—maybe even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Darren Fletcher inherits a fairly solid scenario. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just sensible stewardship of this gifted roster is expected to be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not be a pushover. Although boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their last five outings, their performances have at times been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his squad revved up to attack United who are set to play an XI that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have not used for a year or more.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.