🔗 Share this article Burnley Take On United in Pivotal Top-Flight Encounter Amorim's time at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a major failure. By any measure, his results is remarkable for all the poor causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has managed fewer points per game, or achieved a final position as low as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of games. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Spurs, namely Postecoglou's version of Spurs. Football, however, is not often so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his tactical approach, Amorim exits a club in a significantly improved position than that which he found. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were lauding their opponents as the most impressive side they had faced in a while. Their performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling. Even though it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his criticism of superiors with poorer track records—his demise was finally hampered by terrible luck. If the absence of vital stars not coincided with the loss of other important individuals, he might remain in the job—perhaps thriving. Fletcher Takes the Reins As a result, Fletcher takes over a relatively solid state of affairs. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Afcon. Simply prudent stewardship of this gifted roster should be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European football for the following term—probably in the prestigious European Cup. The Clarets' Formidable Test Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and having lost three of their most recent five games, their displays have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to get after opponents who are set to start an XI that has lacked cohesion, set up in a system they have gone without for a year or more. Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.