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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a notable disappointment. By any measure, his record is remarkable for all the wrong causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has achieved a worse points return, nor achieved a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in United's annals by experiencing a loss in a final to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

Life, however, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the criticism of his tactical approach, he departs from a club in a far better position than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton, the striker Welbeck shared that teammates were hailing United as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in some time. Their performance in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Even though it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly caused by his comments about executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's demise was ultimately stymied by atrocious luck. Had the absence of vital personnel not occurred alongside the absence of other important members, he might still be in the job—possibly succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid scenario. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Merely sensible husbandry of this skilled roster should be enough to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Test

Burnley, though, are unlikely to be a pushover. Despite boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their last five matches, their showings have often been more impressive than the scorelines show. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to get after United who are expected to field an lineup that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have gone without for over a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.