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The former manager's time at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance stands out for all the negative reasons. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has achieved a worse points return, nor achieved a league finish as poor as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of games. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of the North London club.

Football, however, is seldom so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a team in a significantly improved state than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding United as the most impressive team they had faced in a while. Their play in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is tough to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of bosses with poorer records—Amorim's downfall was finally stymied by awful luck. Had injuries to vital personnel not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other important members, he might still be in the role—possibly thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, Fletcher inherits a fairly solid scenario. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the African tournament. Merely prudent husbandry of this talented squad should be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the following term—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

The home side, however, are unlikely to be a pushover. Although having only 12 points and losing three of their previous five matches, their showings have frequently been more impressive than the results indicate. Boss Parker will surely have his side fired up to take the game to opponents who are expected to start an XI that has not had time to gel, arranged in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.