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Ruben Amorim's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his performance stands out for all the negative reasons. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, or managed a final position as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Moreover, he notoriously secured a place in club lore by suffering a final loss to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Life, but, is not often so black and white. Despite the criticism of his favored system, Amorim departs from a squad in a significantly improved condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton, the striker Welbeck shared that his colleagues were lauding United as the finest team they had encountered in a while. The play in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.

Even though it is difficult to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of bosses with even worse track records—Amorim's downfall was ultimately hampered by atrocious luck. Had injuries to vital players not happened at the same time as the absence of other essential members, he might still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably solid situation. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible stewardship of this skilled squad should be sufficient to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—probably in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't be a pushover. Even with boasting only 12 points and losing 3 of their last five games, their performances have at times been better than the outcomes suggest. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his side revved up to get after United who are expected to start an lineup that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.