🔗 Share this article

The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a significant disappointment. By any measure, his results stands out for all the poor factors. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has managed fewer points per game, or secured a league finish as disappointing as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Additionally, he infamously etched his name in United's annals by suffering a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly the current side of Spurs.

Life, though, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a team in a much stronger state than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that teammates were hailing United as the most impressive opposition they had faced in a while. The performance in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally promising and thrilling.

While it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding superiors with poorer records—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by awful fortune. If injuries to vital players not coincided with the unavailability of other pivotal figures, he may remain in the job—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher steps into a relatively positive scenario. Star players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Just careful stewardship of this talented roster ought to be adequate to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for next season—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

The home side, though, are unlikely to roll over. Despite having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in 3 of their previous five games, their showings have at times been more impressive than the scorelines show. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his squad revved up to get after the visitors who are set to field an lineup that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.