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Amorim's spell at Manchester United has been labeled a significant letdown. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the wrong factors. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, nor managed a league finish as poor as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a larger share of fixtures. Moreover, he famously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

Football, but, is seldom so straightforward. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim departs from a team in a significantly improved position than the one he inherited. Months ago, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck shared that teammates were praising their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in a while. Their performance in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

Even though it is difficult to dispute the termination—especially given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of bosses with more miserable track records—Amorim's demise was in the end hampered by terrible fortune. Had the absence of vital stars not occurred alongside the loss of other essential figures, he might still be in the position—maybe succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly solid state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply careful management of this talented squad ought to be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental football for the following term—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Burnley, though, will not roll over. Despite having only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their previous five games, their displays have often been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad pumped up to attack United who are set to field an starting eleven that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.