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The former manager's tenure at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a significant failure. Looking at the numbers, his record stands out for all the negative reasons. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has managed fewer points per game, or managed a league finish as low as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.

Football, though, is seldom that simple. Despite the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim departs from a club in a far better condition than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the best team they had faced in some time. The performance in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and thrilling.

Even though it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be caused by his criticism of executives with more miserable records—Amorim's exit was finally hindered by awful luck. Had the absence of vital stars not coincided with the loss of other essential members, he could remain in the role—perhaps succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably stable scenario. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible stewardship of this gifted group is expected to be adequate to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for next season—probably in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't roll over. Although boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five games, their showings have frequently been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his side pumped up to take the game to opponents who are set to play an XI that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a formation they have not used for a year or more.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.