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Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford has been labeled a notable disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the wrong factors. In the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, or achieved a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of matches. Additionally, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically the current version of Spurs.

Life, but, is not often that simple. In spite of the criticism of his favored system, Amorim departs from a team in a much stronger condition than that which he took over. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding their opponents as the best side they had encountered in a while. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

While it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his comments about superiors with more miserable track records—Amorim's demise was finally stymied by atrocious luck. Had fitness issues for crucial personnel not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other pivotal figures, he might remain in the role—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly stable situation. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Simply careful management of this talented group should be adequate to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Burnley, though, will not roll over. Despite having only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five games, their displays have often been better than the results suggest. Head coach Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to attack United who are likely to start an lineup that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.