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Ruben Amorim's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the negative causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has achieved fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of fixtures. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Spurs, namely the current version of the North London club.

Football, however, is seldom so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim departs from a squad in a significantly improved state than that which he inherited. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising United as the finest team they had faced in a while. Their play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Even though it is hard to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his criticism of superiors with more miserable histories—his downfall was ultimately stymied by atrocious luck. If fitness issues for crucial players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other essential individuals, he could remain in the position—maybe succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable scenario. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Just careful husbandry of this talented group ought to be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for next season—most likely in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

The home side, though, are unlikely to roll over. Despite having only 12 points and having lost 3 of their previous five games, their performances have at times been better than the results show. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his team fired up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.