Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major failure. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the poor factors. Throughout the Premier League era, no United manager has achieved a lower points average, or secured a standing as disappointing as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Furthermore, he notoriously carved a niche in club lore by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham, specifically the current version of Tottenham.
Football, though, is seldom so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his tactical approach, he leaves behind a club in a far better condition than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that his colleagues were praising United as the best opposition they had faced in a while. The football in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.
Although it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his comments about bosses with even worse track records—Amorim's exit was finally stymied by awful luck. If fitness issues for crucial players not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other pivotal figures, he might remain in the position—perhaps even.
A New Era Begins
Consequently, Fletcher takes over a relatively stable scenario. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Merely sensible husbandry of this skilled squad ought to be adequate to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—probably in the elite European Cup.
The Clarets' Tough Challenge
Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not roll over. Despite having only a dozen points and losing three of their previous five matches, their showings have often been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his side pumped up to get after United who are likely to play an lineup that has not had time to gel, deployed in a setup they have been denied for more than a year.
Match begins: 8.15pm GMT.
