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The former manager's time at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Statistically speaking, his performance stands out for all the poor causes. During the Premier League era, no United manager has managed a worse points return, or managed a league finish as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Additionally, he famously carved a niche in club lore by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, but, is seldom that simple. In spite of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a far better position than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding United as the finest team they had encountered in some time. The football in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exciting.

Although it is tough to argue against the termination—particularly given it was said to be caused by his remarks regarding executives with more miserable track records—Amorim's exit was ultimately hampered by atrocious luck. If injuries to vital personnel not coincided with the absence of other essential figures, he could still be in the role—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable scenario. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly return from the Afcon. Simply sensible management of this skilled squad ought to be sufficient to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for next season—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't roll over. Even with having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five games, their showings have often been better than the results indicate. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad fired up to take the game to the visitors who are likely to start an lineup that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.