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Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major letdown. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the negative causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, nor secured a standing as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a greater proportion of fixtures. Additionally, he famously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, though, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, he departs from a club in a much stronger position than the one he found. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck relayed that teammates were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in some time. The performance in a thrilling four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exciting.

Although it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his criticism of bosses with more miserable records—Amorim's demise was in the end hampered by awful fortune. Had fitness issues for crucial personnel not happened at the same time as the loss of other important figures, he might still be in the position—perhaps succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a fairly stable state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just careful management of this skilled roster should be enough to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, will not make things easy. Despite having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five matches, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes indicate. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to take the game to United who are likely to start an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.