Ruben Amorim's spell at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the negative factors. In the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a lower points average, or achieved a league finish as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Ange Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.
The game, though, is rarely so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a club in a significantly improved condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the most impressive team they had played against in some time. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.
Although it is difficult to dispute the termination—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his remarks regarding executives with more miserable histories—Amorim's demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious fortune. If the absence of crucial players not coincided with the loss of other important figures, he may remain in the position—possibly thriving.
Consequently, Fletcher takes over a fairly positive situation. Star players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful management of this gifted roster is expected to be adequate to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for next season—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.
Burnley, though, won't make things easy. Although having only a dozen points and losing three of their last five matches, their performances have at times been better than the outcomes suggest. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to get after opponents who are expected to play an starting eleven that has never played together, arranged in a formation they have not used for more than a year.
Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.
Elara is a passionate storyteller and writing coach, sharing her experiences to inspire others in their creative pursuits.