🔗 Share this article

Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a notable disappointment. Statistically speaking, his record is notable for all the poor factors. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has managed fewer points per game, or achieved a final position as disappointing as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he infamously etched his name in the team's history by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Life, though, is rarely so black and white. Despite the negative press of his tactical approach, he departs from a club in a significantly improved position than the one he took over. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the best opposition they had encountered in some time. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is hard to dispute the termination—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his remarks regarding bosses with even worse histories—Amorim's demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious luck. Had fitness issues for crucial personnel not occurred alongside the loss of other pivotal members, he may still be in the job—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful stewardship of this talented 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 coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't be a pushover. Although having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five games, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his team pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are likely to start an lineup that has never played together, set up in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

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