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The former manager's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance is remarkable for all the wrong factors. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, or secured a league finish as disappointing as the 15th spot. 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 greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

The game, however, is rarely that simple. Despite the criticism of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a team in a much stronger condition than that which he inherited. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising United as the finest team they had played against in a long time. The performance in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

Even though it is hard to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his comments about bosses with more miserable records—his exit was finally hampered by awful fortune. If injuries to vital stars not occurred alongside the absence of other essential individuals, he could remain in the job—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Fletcher takes over a relatively stable situation. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the African tournament. Merely careful management of this talented group ought to be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for next season—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Task

Burnley, though, will not make things easy. Despite boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their most recent five matches, their displays have frequently been more impressive than the scorelines show. Boss Parker will certainly have his side fired up to get after opponents who are expected to play an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a formation they have gone without for over a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.