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The former manager's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his record stands out for all the poor reasons. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, or managed a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously carved a niche in club lore by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham, specifically the current version of the North London club.

Football, though, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the criticism of his favored system, Amorim exits a team in a far better position than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Welbeck reported that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the best team they had encountered in a long time. The performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is hard to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding bosses with more miserable histories—Amorim's demise was in the end hampered by terrible luck. Had the absence of key personnel not coincided with the absence of other pivotal members, he may still be in the position—maybe even.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly solid situation. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful management of this gifted squad ought to be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the following term—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't be a pushover. Despite boasting only 12 points and losing three of their previous five matches, their showings have at times been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his side fired up to take the game to the visitors who are likely to field an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, set up in a system they have not used for a year or more.

Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.