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Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils has been labeled a major letdown. By any measure, his record stands out for all the wrong factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, nor secured a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Additionally, he famously carved a niche in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, specifically Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Football, but, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager exits a team in a much stronger condition than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in some time. The play in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

Even though it is tough to dispute the termination—especially given it was allegedly caused by his remarks regarding superiors with more miserable track records—his demise was ultimately hampered by terrible luck. If the absence of key stars not coincided with the loss of other pivotal members, he might still be in the position—perhaps thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly solid situation. Important figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Merely sensible management of this talented roster should be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—probably in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in 3 of their most recent five games, their showings have often been stronger than the results indicate. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his team pumped up to get after opponents who are likely to play an XI that has lacked cohesion, set up in a formation they have not used for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.