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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major failure. By any measure, his record is remarkable for all the poor reasons. During the modern top-flight period, no United manager has achieved fewer points per game, or secured a final position as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of games. Additionally, he notoriously etched his name in club lore by suffering a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

Football, but, is not often so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his tactical approach, he departs from a team in a significantly improved state than the one he took over. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing United as the finest side they had played against in a long time. Their play in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Although it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his comments about superiors with more miserable records—his exit was in the end hampered by terrible fortune. If the absence of key personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important figures, he might still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher inherits a relatively positive state of affairs. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Afcon. Just sensible management of this skilled roster is expected to be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European football for next season—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Even with boasting only 12 points and losing three of their most recent five outings, their showings have frequently been better than the outcomes show. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his team pumped up to get after opponents who are likely to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a setup they have been denied for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.