Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils has been labeled a major failure. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the negative causes. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has managed a worse points return, nor managed a league finish as disappointing as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of fixtures. Additionally, he famously etched his name in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.
Life, however, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the negative press of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved condition than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the best team they had played against in a while. The play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.
Although it is hard to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his comments about executives with even worse histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately hindered by atrocious luck. Had the absence of vital stars not coincided with the loss of other important figures, he might remain in the job—maybe succeeding.
A New Era Begins
Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a fairly positive situation. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly return from the Afcon. Simply careful management of this talented group ought to be enough to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—most likely in the prestigious Champions League.
The Clarets' Tough Task
The home side, however, won't roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and having lost three of their most recent five games, their showings have often been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are expected to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have not used for over a year.
Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.
