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Amorim's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major failure. Statistically speaking, his performance is remarkable for all the negative factors. Throughout the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a worse points return, or achieved a league finish as poor as 15th in the table. 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 higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham, specifically Ange Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

The game, but, is not often that simple. In spite of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he leaves behind a club in a much stronger condition than the one he inherited. Months ago, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding United as the finest opposition they had faced in a long time. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Even though it is difficult to contest the termination—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with more miserable track records—his demise was finally stymied by atrocious fortune. Had the absence of vital personnel not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other essential figures, he could remain in the job—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Fletcher takes over a relatively solid state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just prudent management of this talented roster should be adequate to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Test

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not be a pushover. Even with having only 12 points and losing three of their last five matches, their showings have frequently been better than the outcomes suggest. Manager Parker will surely have his side revved up to take the game to the visitors who are set to field an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.