🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United has been labeled a significant disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his results is remarkable for all the wrong causes. In the Premier League era, no boss at the club has achieved a worse points return, or managed a standing as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Additionally, he notoriously secured a place in United's annals by experiencing a final loss to Spurs, namely the current side of Tottenham.

Life, however, is rarely so black and white. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he leaves behind a squad in a far better condition than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were hailing their opponents as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in a while. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and thrilling.

Although it is tough to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly caused by his comments about superiors with even worse track records—his demise was finally stymied by terrible luck. If fitness issues for key players not happened at the same time as the loss of other essential individuals, he could still be in the job—possibly even.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable state of affairs. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the African tournament. Simply sensible stewardship of this skilled roster is expected to be adequate to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European football for the following term—probably in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Burnley, though, won't be a pushover. Despite having only twelve points and having lost 3 of their previous five outings, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to attack opponents who are likely to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have been denied for over a year.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.