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Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. By any measure, his record is remarkable for all the negative reasons. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has achieved fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as low as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a larger share of fixtures. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Spurs, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Football, however, is not often so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his favored system, Amorim departs from a club in a far better condition than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising United as the finest side they had encountered in a while. The performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is tough to argue against the termination—especially given it was said to be caused by his remarks regarding bosses with poorer histories—Amorim's demise was in the end hindered by terrible luck. If injuries to key personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important members, he may remain in the role—perhaps thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly solid state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the African tournament. Just sensible husbandry of this gifted group ought to be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the following term—probably in the elite European Cup.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, will not roll over. Even with boasting only a dozen points and having lost three of their previous five matches, their showings have often been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Manager Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are likely to field an XI that has never played together, set up in a system they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.