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Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford has been labeled a notable disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his performance stands out for all the negative causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved a worse points return, nor secured a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of games. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham, specifically the current iteration of the North London club.

Football, however, is seldom that simple. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager exits a squad in a significantly improved state than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in some time. Their football in a thrilling four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exciting.

Even though it is tough to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his criticism of bosses with even worse track records—his demise was finally hampered by atrocious fortune. If the absence of crucial players not coincided with the loss of other important members, he could remain in the position—maybe succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly stable scenario. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful management of this talented roster is expected to be adequate to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for next season—probably in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Even with boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five matches, their displays have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes suggest. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his side revved up to get after United who are expected to play an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, set up in a system they have not used for more than a year.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.