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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a significant failure. Statistically speaking, his performance is remarkable for all the poor causes. In the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has managed fewer points per game, or secured a standing as disappointing as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in United's annals by suffering a final loss to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's side of the North London club.

Football, but, is seldom that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager exits a squad in a significantly improved position than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the finest opposition they had encountered in a while. The play in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

Even though it is tough to argue against the termination—particularly given it was said to be caused by his comments about executives with even worse track records—Amorim's downfall was in the end stymied by awful luck. If the absence of crucial stars not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he might still be in the position—perhaps thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly stable situation. Important players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Afcon. Simply prudent management of this talented squad is expected to be enough to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—most likely in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

The home side, though, will not be a pushover. Even with having only a dozen points and having lost three of their last five games, their showings have often been stronger than the outcomes show. Manager Parker will certainly have his squad fired up to take the game to United who are expected to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.