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Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United was widely regarded as a notable disappointment. Statistically speaking, his record is notable for all the wrong reasons. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, or managed a final position as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Moreover, he famously etched his name in club lore by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

The game, but, is not often that simple. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a far better condition than the one he inherited. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding their opponents as the best team they had faced in some time. The performance in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

Even though it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding superiors with even worse records—his demise was finally stymied by terrible fortune. Had injuries to vital players not coincided with the unavailability of other essential individuals, he may remain in the job—perhaps thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher takes over a fairly positive scenario. Important figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the African tournament. Simply careful stewardship of this talented roster should be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for next season—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Task

Burnley, but, won't make things easy. Although having only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five outings, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will surely have his squad fired up to attack the visitors who are set to field an lineup that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have not used for over a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.