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Ruben Amorim's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance is notable for all the poor factors. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, nor secured a final position as poor as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Additionally, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Football, however, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a team in a far better position than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had played against in a while. Their performance in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exciting.

Even though it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his comments about executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's downfall was finally hampered by terrible fortune. Had injuries to vital personnel not coincided with the absence of other important members, he could still be in the position—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive situation. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just prudent management of this gifted roster ought to be enough to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—probably in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Test

Burnley, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Although boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their previous five outings, their showings have at times been more impressive than the results indicate. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to attack opponents who are likely to play an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a system they have not used for a year or more.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.