Ruben Amorim's spell at Manchester United was widely regarded as a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the wrong reasons. During the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has achieved a lower points average, nor managed a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a larger share of fixtures. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in United's annals by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.
Life, though, is seldom so black and white. In spite of the criticism of his tactical approach, Amorim leaves behind a squad in a far better condition than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck shared that fellow players were lauding United as the best opposition they had encountered in some time. The play in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.
Although it is tough to contest the termination—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his criticism of superiors with even worse histories—Amorim's demise was finally hindered by atrocious fortune. If injuries to crucial personnel not coincided with the unavailability of other essential members, he could still be in the position—perhaps even.
Fletcher Takes the Reins
As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a fairly solid state of affairs. Important figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful stewardship of this talented roster should be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the following term—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
Burnley's Daunting Challenge
Burnley, however, will not roll over. Although having only 12 points and losing 3 of their previous five games, their showings have often been better than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his team revved up to get after opponents who are expected to start an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have gone without for over a year.
Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.
