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Ruben Amorim's spell at Manchester United has been labeled a significant letdown. By any measure, his results is remarkable for all the poor factors. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has managed a worse points return, or secured a final position as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to revisit 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. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in club lore by suffering a cup final defeat to Spurs, particularly the current side of Tottenham.

Life, but, is seldom so black and white. In spite of the criticism of his favored system, he departs from a club in a much stronger condition than that which he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were hailing United as the best side they had encountered in some time. The football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling.

While it is hard to dispute the dismissal—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his remarks regarding executives with more miserable track records—his downfall was ultimately hampered by terrible fortune. Had injuries to key players not coincided with the absence of other essential figures, he may remain in the job—perhaps even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly stable scenario. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Afcon. Simply careful husbandry of this talented roster is expected to be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the following term—most likely in the coveted Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Task

The home side, however, will not be a pushover. Although having only 12 points and having lost three of their previous five games, their displays have frequently been better than the outcomes suggest. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his squad fired up to get after United who are likely to play an lineup that has never played together, set up in a formation they have been denied for over a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.