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Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils has been labeled a major failure. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the negative causes. Throughout the Premier League era, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, or achieved a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in United's annals by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Life, but, is seldom so black and white. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a squad in a much stronger position than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, the striker Welbeck shared that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the finest team they had encountered in a long time. Their performance in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is hard to dispute the termination—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with more miserable records—Amorim's exit was in the end stymied by atrocious luck. Had the absence of crucial stars not coincided with the absence of other important members, he might still be in the role—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a reasonably solid situation. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful management of this skilled roster is expected to be adequate to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—probably in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Test

Vincent Kompany's team, though, won't roll over. Despite having only twelve points and losing 3 of their last five games, their displays have frequently been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad revved up to get after the visitors who are expected to play an starting eleven that has never played together, arranged in a formation they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.