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The former manager's tenure at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a notable disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results is remarkable for all the negative factors. In the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a lower points average, or secured a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a larger share of games. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

Life, though, is not often so straightforward. In spite of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a team in a much stronger position 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 praising their opponents as the best opposition they had encountered in a while. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

While it is tough to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his comments about superiors with more miserable track records—Amorim's downfall was ultimately hampered by terrible fortune. Had injuries to key players not occurred alongside the loss of other important figures, he might still be in the position—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher steps into a fairly solid scenario. Star players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the African tournament. Merely prudent husbandry of this skilled squad should be enough to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—probably in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Task

The home side, however, will not roll over. Even with boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their previous five games, their displays have frequently been more impressive than the results suggest. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his side revved up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an lineup that has never played together, deployed in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.