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Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the wrong reasons. During the Premier League era, no United manager has achieved fewer points per game, or managed a final position as poor as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he notoriously carved a niche in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, namely the current version of the North London club.

Life, though, is not often so straightforward. In spite of the negative press of his favored system, Amorim departs from a team in a much stronger state than the one he inherited. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had played against in some time. Their play in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally promising and exhilarating.

Although it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's downfall was in the end stymied by awful luck. If the absence of vital players not coincided with the loss of other essential figures, he could remain in the position—possibly even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive scenario. Key figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly return from the African tournament. Simply prudent husbandry of this talented squad should be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the following term—most likely in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not be a pushover. Although having only twelve points and losing three of their most recent five games, their performances have frequently been better than the outcomes show. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his squad fired up to take the game to opponents who are set to field an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.