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Amorim's spell at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the poor factors. During the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, nor managed a final position as low as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Moreover, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a loss in a final to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

The game, however, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager exits a squad in a far better state than the one he found. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were lauding United as the most impressive opposition they had played against in a long time. The performance in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally promising and exhilarating.

Although it is hard to dispute the termination—especially given it was said to be triggered by his criticism of executives with more miserable records—Amorim's exit was in the end hampered by awful fortune. If the absence of key personnel not coincided with the absence of other important members, he could remain in the job—possibly thriving.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly positive scenario. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent management of this skilled group should be adequate to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, European competition for the following term—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't be a pushover. Even with having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five outings, their performances have frequently been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his team revved up to take the game to opponents who are set to start an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a system they have been denied for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.