🔗 Share this article

The former manager's time at Old Trafford has been labeled a major failure. Looking at the numbers, his results is notable for all the negative factors. During the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a lower points average, nor achieved a final position as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of fixtures. Furthermore, he infamously etched his name in club lore by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, though, is not often so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he exits a team in a far better state than the one he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the most impressive side they had played against in a while. Their football in a thrilling four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

Even though it is tough to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his comments about superiors with poorer histories—Amorim's downfall was in the end stymied by terrible fortune. If fitness issues for key personnel not occurred alongside the absence of other essential individuals, he could still be in the position—maybe thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable situation. Star players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon return from the African tournament. Just careful stewardship of this talented roster is expected to be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the following term—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Test

The home side, though, won't be a pushover. Despite boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their last five outings, their performances have frequently been more impressive than the results indicate. Head coach Parker will certainly have his side fired up to take the game to United who are set to field an XI that has lacked cohesion, set up in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.