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Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results is notable for all the wrong causes. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded fewer points per game, nor achieved a league finish as low as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of games. Additionally, he famously etched his name in club lore by suffering a final loss to Tottenham, specifically Ange Postecoglou's iteration of the North London club.

Football, but, is not often that simple. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, he exits a club in a far better condition than that which he took over. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that teammates were lauding United as the best opposition they had faced in a long time. The football in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating.

Although it is tough to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly caused by his remarks regarding bosses with more miserable track records—his demise was finally hampered by atrocious luck. Had the absence of key stars not happened at the same time as the loss of other pivotal members, he may still be in the job—perhaps thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a fairly solid scenario. Key figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Merely sensible stewardship of this skilled group should be adequate to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—probably in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to make things easy. Despite boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five outings, their showings have frequently been better than the outcomes indicate. Head coach Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to take the game to United who are set to start an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.