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Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford has been labeled a major disappointment. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the poor causes. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, nor managed a league finish as disappointing as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a larger share of games. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

The game, but, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager departs from a club in a significantly improved position than the one he took over. Months ago, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding United as the best side they had faced in a while. The football in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

While it is tough to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of executives with poorer track records—his downfall was ultimately hampered by terrible fortune. If fitness issues for vital stars not coincided with the unavailability of other pivotal individuals, he may still be in the job—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably solid scenario. Star players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent husbandry of this gifted squad is expected to be adequate to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for next season—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

The home side, however, will not make things easy. Although boasting only 12 points and having lost three of their previous five matches, their performances have frequently been stronger than the outcomes suggest. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his side fired up to get after United who are likely to start an starting eleven that has never played together, deployed in a setup they have not used for more than a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.