🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim's spell at Old Trafford has been labeled a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the wrong reasons. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, or achieved a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of matches. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by enduring a cup final defeat to Spurs, particularly Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

Football, though, is seldom so black and white. Despite the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager leaves behind a club in a much stronger position than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising their opponents as the finest opposition they had faced in some time. The play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

While it is hard to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding bosses with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately stymied by terrible luck. If the absence of crucial personnel not coincided with the unavailability of other important figures, he could still be in the job—possibly succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively solid state of affairs. Star players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Simply careful husbandry of this gifted group should be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—probably in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Test

Vincent Kompany's team, though, won't be a pushover. Even with having only twelve points and having lost 3 of their most recent five matches, their displays have often been more impressive than the outcomes indicate. Manager Scott Parker will certainly have his team fired up to attack opponents who are set to field an starting eleven that has never played together, arranged in a formation they have not used for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.