The Clarets Clash With United in Crucial Top-Flight Match

Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a major failure. Statistically speaking, his results is remarkable for all the wrong causes. During the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, nor achieved a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in United's annals by enduring a cup final defeat to Spurs, specifically the current side of Tottenham.

The game, though, is seldom so black and white. Despite the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a far better condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising their opponents as the best team they had faced in a long time. Their football in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

Although it is hard to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his comments about bosses with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was in the end hampered by terrible luck. Had injuries to crucial stars not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other important individuals, he may remain in the job—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive state of affairs. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Afcon. Just prudent stewardship of this skilled squad ought to be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for next season—probably in the elite Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Task

Burnley, but, are unlikely to roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five matches, their showings have frequently been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will certainly have his squad revved up to attack opponents who are likely to play an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have been denied for more than a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.