🔗 Share this article

The former manager's time at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his results is notable for all the wrong reasons. In the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has managed fewer points per game, nor managed a league finish as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of games. Furthermore, he infamously carved a niche in club lore by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, namely the current version of Tottenham.

The game, though, is seldom so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his favored system, Amorim departs from a team in a significantly improved condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising their opponents as the most impressive side they had played against in some time. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

While it is tough to contest the termination—especially given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of bosses with poorer histories—Amorim's demise was finally stymied by terrible fortune. If injuries to vital personnel not occurred alongside the loss of other pivotal members, he may still be in the position—possibly even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive scenario. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the African tournament. Just sensible stewardship of this talented squad is expected to be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for next season—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Test

Burnley, but, won't roll over. Despite boasting only twelve points and having lost three of their most recent five games, their displays have often been more impressive than the results show. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his side pumped up to attack opponents who are expected to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, deployed in a system they have not used for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.