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The former manager's time at Manchester United has been labeled a notable disappointment. By any measure, his results stands out for all the wrong reasons. In the Premier League era, no boss at the club has managed fewer points per game, nor secured a final position as low as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of games. Moreover, he notoriously secured a place in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, namely the current version of Tottenham.

Football, but, is seldom that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a far better state than the one he found. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding United as the best side they had played against in some time. Their play in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and thrilling.

Although it is tough to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his criticism of executives with poorer track records—Amorim's exit was finally hindered by atrocious fortune. Had injuries to vital personnel not coincided with the loss of other essential figures, he might remain in the role—perhaps even.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, Fletcher inherits a relatively stable scenario. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely prudent husbandry of this talented roster should be sufficient to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the following term—most likely in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

Burnley, but, are unlikely to be a pushover. Even with having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five games, their showings have at times been better than the scorelines indicate. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to get after opponents who are set to field an XI that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have been denied for over a year.

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