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The former manager's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results is notable for all the poor reasons. Throughout the Premier League era, no boss at the club has achieved a worse points return, or achieved a final position as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of fixtures. Additionally, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Spurs, specifically Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Football, but, is not often so black and white. Despite the negative press of his tactical approach, Amorim leaves behind a team in a much stronger position than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing United as the best side they had faced in some time. Their football in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Although it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about superiors with even worse records—Amorim's demise was ultimately stymied by atrocious luck. Had fitness issues for key personnel not coincided with the absence of other essential individuals, he could remain in the job—perhaps even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, Fletcher steps into a relatively stable state of affairs. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the African tournament. Just careful management of this talented squad is expected to be enough to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Burnley, however, won't roll over. Even with boasting only a dozen points and having lost three of their previous five matches, their displays have at times been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his team fired up to attack the visitors who are likely to play an XI that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a system they have not used for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.