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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United was widely regarded as a major letdown. By any measure, his results is notable for all the negative factors. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor secured a league finish as low as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he notoriously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham, namely Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

Life, though, is not often that simple. Despite the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager exits a team in a much stronger condition than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding United as the finest opposition they had faced in a long time. The performance in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.

Although it is hard to contest the termination—particularly given it was allegedly sparked by his criticism of bosses with more miserable track records—Amorim's demise was ultimately hindered by awful luck. If the absence of crucial stars not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important figures, he could remain in the job—possibly thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher takes over a fairly solid situation. Important figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply careful husbandry of this skilled squad is expected to be adequate to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—most likely in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Test

The home side, but, won't make things easy. Although having only 12 points and losing 3 of their previous five outings, their showings have frequently been better than the outcomes indicate. Boss Parker will surely have his team revved up to attack United who are expected to play an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.