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The former manager's time at Manchester United was widely regarded as a major letdown. By any measure, his results is notable for all the negative reasons. During the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, or achieved a league finish as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he notoriously etched his name in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Spurs, particularly Ange Postecoglou's version of the North London club.

Life, but, is rarely so straightforward. Regardless of the criticism of his favored system, Amorim departs from a squad in a much stronger state than that which he took over. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that teammates were praising their opponents as the most impressive opposition they had played against in a long time. Their football in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both hopeful and exhilarating.

Even though it is tough to contest the termination—particularly given it was allegedly sparked by his comments about superiors with poorer records—Amorim's downfall was ultimately stymied by terrible luck. Had the absence of key stars not coincided with the absence of other important individuals, he might remain in the position—perhaps even.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Darren Fletcher inherits a relatively positive state of affairs. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the African tournament. Simply prudent stewardship of this talented group is expected to be sufficient to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—in all likelihood in the coveted Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Despite boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their last five matches, their displays have frequently been more impressive than the scorelines show. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his team pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are expected to field an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.