🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Looking at the numbers, his results stands out for all the poor reasons. During the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, nor secured a final position as low as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a larger share of matches. Additionally, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, namely the current version of Spurs.

The game, however, is not often so straightforward. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager exits a team in a significantly improved condition than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck reported that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the most impressive team they had played against in some time. Their football in a thrilling 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is hard to argue against the termination—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's exit was finally stymied by atrocious fortune. Had the absence of key players not happened at the same time as the loss of other pivotal individuals, he may still be in the job—maybe succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly stable scenario. Important players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Afcon. Simply sensible stewardship of this talented roster is expected to be enough to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Task

The home side, however, are unlikely to roll over. Although boasting only twelve points and losing 3 of their last five matches, their performances have often been better than the results suggest. Manager Parker will certainly have his side fired up to attack United who are set to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, set up in a system they have been denied for a year or more.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.