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The former manager's spell at Old Trafford has been labeled a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the poor causes. During the contemporary football age, no United manager has achieved a lower points average, nor managed a standing as poor as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a larger share of matches. Additionally, he infamously carved a niche in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly the current iteration of the North London club.

The game, however, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager exits a team in a much stronger position than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that his colleagues were praising United as the best side they had encountered in some time. Their performance in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling.

Although it is hard to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about superiors with poorer records—Amorim's demise was finally hampered by awful fortune. Had the absence of vital players not coincided with the loss of other essential figures, he could remain in the job—perhaps even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher inherits a fairly stable situation. Star players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply careful husbandry of this gifted roster should be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—probably in the coveted Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Test

The home side, but, won't roll over. Even with having only 12 points and losing three of their last five matches, their showings have often been more impressive than the results indicate. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to take the game to United who are likely to play an XI that has never played together, set up in a formation they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.