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Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a notable letdown. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the wrong factors. During the contemporary football age, no United manager has managed a lower points average, or secured a final position as disappointing as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a larger share of fixtures. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

Football, however, is rarely that simple. Despite the criticism of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a significantly improved condition than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising United as the most impressive team they had encountered in some time. The football in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exciting.

While it is hard to dispute the dismissal—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his criticism of executives with more miserable track records—Amorim's downfall was in the end stymied by atrocious luck. If the absence of key players not coincided with the unavailability of other essential individuals, he could still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively positive situation. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the African tournament. Simply sensible husbandry of this skilled roster should be enough to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the following term—probably in the coveted Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Challenge

The home side, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Despite boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their last five matches, their performances have frequently been stronger than the scorelines show. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his team revved up to take the game to opponents who are likely to start an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have not used for more than a year.

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