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Ruben Amorim's spell at Manchester United has been labeled a major letdown. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the poor reasons. In the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved a lower points average, nor secured a league finish as low as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of fixtures. Additionally, he famously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Life, though, is not often so black and white. Despite the criticism of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a club in a much stronger position than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Welbeck relayed that teammates were lauding United as the best team they had encountered in a long time. The performance in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Even though it is difficult to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was said to be caused by his comments about bosses with poorer records—his exit was finally hindered by atrocious fortune. If injuries to key stars not coincided with the unavailability of other pivotal individuals, he could remain in the position—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a fairly solid state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent husbandry of this gifted group should be sufficient to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—most likely in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with having only 12 points and having lost three of their last five matches, their showings have often been better than the results show. Boss Parker will surely have his side revved up to attack the visitors who are set to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, set up in a formation they have gone without for over a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.