The Clarets Take On United in Key English Top Division Match

The former manager's time at Manchester United was widely regarded as a significant letdown. Looking at the numbers, his record is notable for all the negative causes. In the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has achieved a worse points return, nor achieved a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a larger share of fixtures. Additionally, he infamously etched his name in club lore by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham, namely Postecoglou's version of Tottenham.

The game, but, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, he departs from a team in a far better state than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were lauding their opponents as the most impressive opposition they had played against in some time. Their performance in a thrilling four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Although it is tough to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be triggered by his remarks regarding executives with poorer track records—Amorim's exit was ultimately hampered by terrible fortune. If the absence of vital stars not occurred alongside the unavailability of other important members, he might still be in the job—maybe thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, Darren Fletcher inherits a fairly solid state of affairs. Star figures like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply careful management of this gifted roster ought to be sufficient to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not be a pushover. Although boasting only 12 points and losing 3 of their most recent five games, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines show. Head coach Scott Parker will certainly have his squad fired up to get after United who are likely to start an lineup that has not had time to gel, arranged in a setup they have not used for a year or more.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.