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Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United has been labeled a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the poor causes. During the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded fewer points per game, or secured a final position as disappointing as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he infamously etched his name in the team's history by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

The game, though, is seldom so black and white. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved position than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, the striker Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising their opponents as the most impressive side they had played against in a long time. The football in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to contest the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of bosses with more miserable histories—Amorim's downfall was ultimately hampered by awful luck. If injuries to key players not coincided with the loss of other pivotal members, he may still be in the job—perhaps thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Fletcher inherits a fairly positive state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the African tournament. Just careful husbandry of this talented roster ought to be adequate to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Test

The home side, however, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with boasting only a dozen points and losing three of their last five matches, their showings have frequently been stronger than the results suggest. Boss Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to get after United who are set to play an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have gone without for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.