🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Statistically speaking, his record stands out for all the wrong reasons. Throughout the Premier League era, no United manager has achieved a worse points return, nor achieved a standing as poor as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a greater proportion of games. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in club lore by suffering a loss in a final to Spurs, namely Postecoglou's side of the North London club.

Football, though, is not often so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his tactical approach, he exits a team in a much stronger state than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were hailing United as the most impressive opposition they had played against in a while. Their performance in a thrilling four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exciting.

Although it is hard to contest the termination—particularly given it was allegedly sparked by his criticism of superiors with even worse records—Amorim's exit was in the end hampered by atrocious luck. If the absence of vital players not coincided with the absence of other important members, he may remain in the job—perhaps thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable state of affairs. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible husbandry of this skilled group is expected to be sufficient to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

The home side, however, won't make things easy. Although having only twelve points and having lost three of their previous five outings, their displays have frequently been better than the results indicate. Head coach Parker will certainly have his side revved up to get after the visitors who are set to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.