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Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance is notable for all the poor reasons. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has achieved fewer points per game, or achieved a standing as low as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he famously etched his name in the team's history by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, specifically Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Football, however, is seldom so black and white. Despite the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a far better condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the most impressive side they had encountered in a while. The play in a thrilling four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exciting.

Even though it is hard to contest the termination—especially given it was reportedly caused by his comments about executives with poorer records—Amorim's exit was ultimately stymied by awful fortune. Had the absence of vital players not coincided with the loss of other important members, he could still be in the role—possibly even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive scenario. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the African tournament. Just careful stewardship of this gifted group ought to be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, European competition for next season—probably in the elite Champions League.

Burnley's Daunting Test

The home side, though, will not make things easy. Even with having only twelve points and losing three of their last five matches, their showings have at times been stronger than the results indicate. Manager Parker will certainly have his team revved up to get after United who are set to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, set up in a formation they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.