The Clarets Clash With Manchester United in Key English Top Division Fixture

Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the wrong causes. During the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, nor managed a final position as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Furthermore, he famously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Life, though, is rarely so black and white. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a far better condition than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding United as the best team they had played against in a long time. Their play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

While it is difficult to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be caused by his criticism of executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious fortune. If fitness issues for vital players not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important figures, he might still be in the role—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher steps into a relatively positive scenario. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful husbandry of this gifted squad is expected to be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Challenge

The home side, but, will not be a pushover. Even with boasting only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their most recent five games, their displays have frequently been stronger than the scorelines indicate. Head coach Scott Parker will certainly have his squad revved up to attack opponents who are expected to play an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.