🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a notable letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance stands out for all the negative reasons. In the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded fewer points per game, or secured a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of games. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in United's annals by enduring a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of the North London club.

Life, however, is seldom so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved condition than that which he took over. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in some time. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

While it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly sparked by his comments about superiors with even worse track records—Amorim's demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious luck. If the absence of crucial stars not coincided with the loss of other important members, he might still be in the job—perhaps thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a relatively solid state of affairs. Star figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just sensible stewardship of this talented squad should be enough to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Test

Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not be a pushover. Even with having only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five matches, their showings have frequently been better than the scorelines show. Boss Parker will certainly have his team fired up to take the game to the visitors who are set to start an lineup that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a setup they have been denied for a year or more.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.