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The former manager's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a notable failure. By any measure, his record stands out for all the poor causes. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has achieved a lower points average, or achieved a final position as low as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of games. Moreover, he infamously secured a place in United's annals by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly the current iteration of the North London club.

The game, however, is not often that simple. In spite of the criticism of his tactical approach, Amorim departs from a club in a much stronger condition than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing United as the most impressive side they had played against in some time. Their play in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exciting.

While it is tough to contest the termination—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his comments about bosses with more miserable track records—his exit was in the end hindered by terrible fortune. If the absence of vital players not coincided with the absence of other essential individuals, he might still be in the position—maybe even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Fletcher inherits a fairly positive scenario. Key figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible husbandry of this talented squad is expected to be adequate to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—probably in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't make things easy. Even with boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their last five outings, their showings have often been better than the scorelines suggest. Head coach Parker will surely have his squad fired up to get after United who are expected to play an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a system they have been denied for more than a year.

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