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Ruben Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the wrong factors. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has managed a worse points return, nor achieved a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of matches. Moreover, he famously etched his name in club lore by enduring a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

Football, however, is rarely so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a team in a much stronger condition than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were hailing United as the finest opposition they had encountered in some time. Their performance in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

While it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his remarks regarding executives with even worse records—Amorim's demise was in the end hindered by atrocious luck. Had the absence of key players not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he could still be in the role—perhaps thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher steps into a fairly stable scenario. Key figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Simply careful management of this skilled roster should be enough to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Burnley, but, will not make things easy. Although boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five games, their showings have often been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Manager Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to attack United who are expected to play an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.