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The former manager's time at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable failure. By any measure, his results is notable for all the negative factors. In the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has managed a worse points return, or secured a final position as disappointing as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of games. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in club lore by suffering a cup final defeat to Spurs, specifically the current side of Tottenham.

Life, though, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a club in a much stronger condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were lauding United as the finest side they had played against in a while. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

Even though it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be triggered by his criticism of bosses with even worse records—Amorim's downfall was in the end stymied by awful luck. If fitness issues for crucial players not coincided with the loss of other essential individuals, he might remain in the role—maybe thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly positive situation. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the African tournament. Simply prudent management of this skilled roster ought to be enough to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—most likely in the elite European Cup.

Burnley's Formidable Task

Burnley, though, won't make things easy. Despite having only 12 points and having lost three of their last five games, their displays have at times been stronger than the results indicate. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to get after the visitors who are expected to play an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.