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Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a major disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the negative reasons. Throughout the Premier League era, no United manager has managed a worse points return, nor achieved a final position as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he famously secured a place in United's annals by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, namely Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Football, though, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, Amorim departs from a club in a significantly improved position than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising United as the finest opposition they had played against in a long time. The football in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly caused by his remarks regarding executives with more miserable histories—his downfall was ultimately stymied by atrocious fortune. Had injuries to vital personnel not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other important individuals, he might still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher steps into a relatively stable scenario. Important figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Afcon. Simply prudent husbandry of this talented squad ought to be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—most likely in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

Burnley, but, will not be a pushover. Although boasting only twelve points and having lost 3 of their last five outings, their showings have at times been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad pumped up to get after United who are likely to field an lineup that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have been denied for a year or more.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.