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The former manager's time at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. By any measure, his record stands out for all the negative reasons. During the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has recorded fewer points per game, or managed a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of matches. Moreover, he famously secured a place in the team's history by enduring a final loss to Spurs, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

The game, however, is not often so straightforward. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a much stronger state than that which he took over. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were lauding United as the finest team they had played against in a while. Their play in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Even though it is hard to contest the dismissal—particularly given it was allegedly sparked by his criticism of bosses with more miserable track records—Amorim's exit was finally stymied by atrocious luck. Had injuries to key players not coincided with the unavailability of other important individuals, he could still be in the position—maybe even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable state of affairs. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just careful management of this gifted roster should be enough to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to roll over. Despite boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their last five matches, their displays have frequently been stronger than the outcomes show. Head coach Scott Parker will certainly have his side fired up to get after United who are set to play an XI that has not had time to gel, arranged in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.