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Amorim's time at Manchester United has been labeled a major failure. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the negative factors. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved a lower points average, nor managed a standing as low as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham, specifically the current version of Tottenham.

The game, however, is not often that simple. In spite of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a club in a significantly improved state than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were lauding their opponents as the finest side they had played against in a long time. The performance in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Even though it is difficult to contest the termination—especially given it was said to be caused by his comments about superiors with poorer histories—his downfall was finally hindered by awful luck. If fitness issues for crucial players not happened at the same time as the absence of other important members, he could remain in the job—maybe thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Darren Fletcher steps into a fairly stable state of affairs. Key figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent stewardship of this gifted squad ought to be sufficient to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—most likely in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Task

Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not make things easy. Despite boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their most recent five games, their displays have at times been better than the outcomes suggest. Boss Parker will surely have his side fired up to get after opponents who are likely to play an lineup that has lacked cohesion, set up in a setup they have gone without for a year or more.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.