🔗 Share this article

Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his results is notable for all the negative reasons. During the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a worse points return, or managed a standing as low as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of fixtures. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in club lore by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, however, is not often that simple. Despite the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim departs from a squad in a much stronger position than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding United as the finest side they had played against in some time. Their play in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both promising and exhilarating.

While it is hard to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his remarks regarding bosses with more miserable track records—his downfall was in the end stymied by awful luck. Had injuries to key stars not happened at the same time as the loss of other important figures, he might still be in the job—possibly thriving.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a relatively solid scenario. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the African tournament. Just careful stewardship of this talented roster is expected to be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Test

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not make things easy. Even with having only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five matches, their displays have frequently been stronger than the results suggest. Boss Parker will surely have his squad revved up to get after United who are set to start an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have not used for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.