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Amorim's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Looking at the numbers, his record stands out for all the wrong reasons. In the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has recorded fewer points per game, or achieved a final position as low as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a higher percentage of matches. Moreover, he infamously etched his name in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Ange Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

The game, however, is not often that simple. In spite of the criticism of his tactical approach, he exits a squad in a much stronger state than that which he took over. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that his colleagues were lauding their opponents as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in some time. The play in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

While it is difficult to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with poorer histories—his downfall was in the end hindered by awful luck. Had fitness issues for key stars not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other important members, he may remain in the job—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a relatively solid state of affairs. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the African tournament. Merely careful husbandry of this gifted roster should be sufficient to secure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Test

The home side, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Although boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in 3 of their previous five outings, their displays have often been better than the outcomes suggest. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are set to start an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have not used for more than a year.

Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.