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Ruben Amorim's time at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his performance is notable for all the wrong reasons. In the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved fewer points per game, nor secured a league finish as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of matches. Additionally, he infamously etched his name in United's annals by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

Football, however, is seldom so straightforward. In spite of the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he exits a club in a far better condition than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that teammates were hailing their opponents as the best opposition they had encountered in some time. Their play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling.

Although it is difficult to argue against the termination—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding bosses with even worse track records—his exit was in the end hindered by atrocious fortune. Had fitness issues for crucial stars not occurred alongside the loss of other essential individuals, he might still be in the position—maybe even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a relatively solid situation. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the African tournament. Just careful stewardship of this skilled group is expected to be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—probably in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

The home side, though, won't roll over. Even with having only 12 points and suffering defeats in 3 of their most recent five outings, their performances have at times been more impressive than the results suggest. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his side pumped up to attack the visitors who are expected to start an XI that has never played together, set up in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.