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The former manager's tenure at Old Trafford has been labeled a major failure. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the poor factors. In the Premier League era, no United manager has managed a lower points average, nor achieved a final position as low as 15th in the table. 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 greater proportion of matches. Additionally, he famously etched his name in United's annals by suffering a final loss to Tottenham, particularly the current iteration of Tottenham.

The game, however, is seldom so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his favored system, Amorim departs from a squad in a significantly improved condition than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that teammates were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had faced in a while. The performance in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

While it is tough to argue against the termination—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his comments about superiors with poorer records—his exit was in the end hampered by terrible luck. Had the absence of key players not coincided with the unavailability of other important figures, he might remain in the job—possibly even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly stable scenario. Key figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just prudent management of this talented squad is expected to be enough to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for next season—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Although boasting only a dozen points and losing three of their most recent five games, their performances have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes show. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his side fired up to get after United who are expected to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a system they have not used for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.