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The former manager's time at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant letdown. By any measure, his results stands out for all the poor causes. During the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, nor managed a final position as poor as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of games. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham, specifically the current side of the North London club.

Life, but, is not often so black and white. Despite the negative press of his favored system, Amorim exits a team in a much stronger condition than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising United as the best side they had played against in a while. The performance in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

Even though it is tough to contest the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with poorer track records—Amorim's downfall was finally hampered by awful luck. If injuries to key personnel not coincided with the unavailability of other important figures, he could remain in the role—perhaps succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Darren Fletcher steps into a fairly stable scenario. Star figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely prudent stewardship of this skilled roster should be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—probably in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, won't make things easy. Despite having only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their most recent five outings, their displays have often been better than the results indicate. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad pumped up to attack opponents who are likely to field an lineup that has never played together, arranged in a system they have gone without for a year or more.

Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.