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Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a major failure. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the wrong causes. During the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a lower points average, or achieved a final position as poor as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a larger share of matches. Moreover, he famously etched his name in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Spurs, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

Football, however, is seldom so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his tactical approach, Amorim exits a squad in a far better state than the one he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the most impressive team they had played against in a long time. Their play in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his criticism of bosses with poorer records—his exit was finally hampered by terrible fortune. Had fitness issues for vital players not happened at the same time as the loss of other essential individuals, he may remain in the role—possibly thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive scenario. Star figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent stewardship of this skilled squad is expected to be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the prestigious Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to be a pushover. Although having only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their last five matches, their performances have frequently been better than the scorelines show. Boss Parker will surely have his squad fired up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an XI that has never played together, arranged in a system they have not used for more than a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.