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Amorim's spell at the Red Devils has been labeled a significant letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results is remarkable for all the negative causes. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, nor managed a final position as disappointing as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of matches. Additionally, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by enduring a final loss to Spurs, specifically Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

The game, however, is rarely so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a far better position than that which he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising their opponents as the best team they had encountered in some time. Their performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

While it is difficult to argue against the termination—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with poorer histories—Amorim's downfall was in the end hampered by terrible fortune. Had injuries to crucial personnel not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he could remain in the position—maybe thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive situation. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent management of this talented squad is expected to be adequate to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

The home side, however, are unlikely to roll over. Even with having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five matches, their performances have at times been more impressive than the results suggest. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his team revved up to take the game to opponents who are expected to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

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