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Amorim's spell at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a notable failure. Statistically speaking, his results is remarkable for all the negative factors. During the Premier League era, no United manager has managed fewer points per game, nor achieved a final position as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of fixtures. Moreover, he famously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

Football, however, is rarely that simple. In spite of the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he leaves behind a club in a much stronger position than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive team they had faced in some time. The football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Although it is tough to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his criticism of executives with even worse histories—Amorim's exit was finally hindered by awful fortune. If the absence of vital players not coincided with the absence of other essential figures, he might remain in the position—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a relatively positive scenario. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Afcon. Merely prudent management of this talented squad ought to be adequate to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—most likely in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

The home side, however, won't make things easy. Despite having only a dozen points and having lost three of their last five games, their showings have often been stronger than the results show. Head coach Parker will surely have his side revved up to take the game to opponents who are likely to start an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a system they have been denied for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.