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Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils has been labeled a major letdown. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the wrong factors. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has managed a lower points average, nor achieved a league finish as low as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he famously etched his name in club lore by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

Life, though, is seldom so straightforward. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he exits a club in a far better state than the one he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising their opponents as the finest team they had played against in a while. Their football in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his criticism of executives with even worse records—his downfall was in the end hindered by atrocious luck. If fitness issues for vital personnel not coincided with the unavailability of other important individuals, he may remain in the job—possibly even.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Fletcher takes over a fairly positive situation. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just careful stewardship of this skilled roster should be sufficient to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their previous five games, their performances have often been stronger than the scorelines show. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his side pumped up to take the game to opponents who are expected to start an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.