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Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the negative factors. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, or achieved a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, but, is not often that simple. In spite of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim departs from a squad in a much stronger condition than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that teammates were hailing their opponents as the best side they had encountered in a while. The play in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.

Even though it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his comments about superiors with poorer histories—Amorim's downfall was finally hampered by atrocious luck. If the absence of vital stars not coincided with the absence of other pivotal figures, he might still be in the job—maybe even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable state of affairs. Important figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely sensible husbandry of this skilled group is expected to be sufficient to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—most likely in the elite Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

The home side, though, won't be a pushover. Even with boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their last five matches, their showings have at times been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have gone without for more than a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.