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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a major disappointment. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the wrong reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved fewer points per game, or achieved a standing as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically the current iteration of the North London club.

Football, though, is seldom so straightforward. Regardless of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim leaves behind a club in a far better state than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive team they had faced in a long time. Their football in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and thrilling.

Although it is hard to contest the termination—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about executives with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by awful fortune. If the absence of vital personnel not coincided with the absence of other pivotal figures, he may still be in the job—maybe succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid situation. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible stewardship of this skilled roster ought to be enough to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for next season—most likely in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Task

Vincent Kompany's team, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Even with boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their most recent five outings, their displays have at times been stronger than the results show. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his squad revved up to get after opponents who are likely to play an starting eleven that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.