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Amorim's spell at Manchester United has been labeled a major failure. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the poor reasons. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has managed a worse points return, nor achieved a league finish as disappointing as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of games. Moreover, he famously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically the current side of Tottenham.

Life, however, is not often that simple. In spite of the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he departs from a team in a much stronger state than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that his colleagues were lauding their opponents as the most impressive team they had faced in a while. The performance in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

While it is tough to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be caused by his remarks regarding executives with even worse track records—his exit was in the end hindered by terrible luck. If fitness issues for crucial players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other essential individuals, he may remain in the job—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Fletcher steps into a reasonably solid situation. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Just careful management of this skilled squad ought to be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European football for next season—probably in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

The home side, however, won't be a pushover. Despite having only a dozen points and losing three of their most recent five outings, their showings have at times been better than the results indicate. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his team fired up to take the game to opponents who are likely to field an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.