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Amorim's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a notable disappointment. By any measure, his performance is remarkable for all the negative reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, or secured a league finish as low as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of games. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by enduring a final loss to Tottenham, specifically Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

Life, though, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim leaves behind a club in a far better state than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the finest side they had played against in a while. The play in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

Although it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his comments about bosses with even worse histories—Amorim's downfall was ultimately hampered by awful fortune. Had the absence of crucial players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other important members, he could still be in the job—possibly even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable scenario. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely sensible stewardship of this gifted squad is expected to be enough to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—probably in the elite UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Test

The home side, but, won't roll over. Even with boasting only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their most recent five games, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the scorelines show. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to get after the visitors who are likely to play an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.