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Amorim's time at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the wrong causes. In the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded fewer points per game, or managed a league finish as disappointing as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of games. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in club lore by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham, particularly the current version of the North London club.

Life, however, is seldom that simple. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, he leaves behind a team in a much stronger position than that which he found. Months ago, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had played against in a long time. Their football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

Although it is tough to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be caused by his comments about executives with more miserable track records—his demise was finally hindered by terrible fortune. If injuries to vital players not coincided with the unavailability of other important individuals, he could still be in the position—perhaps thriving.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive state of affairs. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the African tournament. Simply prudent stewardship of this skilled roster ought to be sufficient to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—most likely in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

Burnley, but, are unlikely to be a pushover. Although boasting only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their previous five matches, their showings have at times been stronger than the results indicate. Manager Parker will surely have his squad revved up to attack the visitors who are set to field an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.