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The former manager's spell at Manchester United was widely regarded as a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the negative reasons. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, or secured a final position as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, 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. Moreover, he notoriously etched his name in the team's history by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, though, is rarely so black and white. Despite the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved position than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising United as the most impressive side they had encountered in a long time. The performance in a thrilling 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.

Even though it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly sparked by his comments about executives with even worse records—Amorim's downfall was ultimately hampered by atrocious fortune. Had injuries to key personnel not coincided with the loss of other pivotal figures, he could remain in the role—perhaps thriving.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid scenario. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Just sensible management of this talented roster should be adequate to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Task

The home side, though, will not roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and having lost three of their previous five matches, their performances have often been more impressive than the outcomes show. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to attack opponents who are expected to play an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have gone without for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.