🔗 Share this article The Clarets Face Off Against Man United in Key English Top Division Fixture Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the wrong reasons. In the Premier League era, no United manager has managed fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as disappointing as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of games. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham, specifically Ange Postecoglou's version of the North London club. Football, though, is rarely so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim departs from a squad in a far better state than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the best team they had faced in a long time. The play in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and thrilling. Although it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about bosses with poorer histories—Amorim's exit was ultimately stymied by atrocious luck. If fitness issues for crucial stars not coincided with the unavailability of other pivotal figures, he might remain in the job—possibly succeeding. A New Era Begins As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a reasonably solid situation. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the African tournament. Simply sensible husbandry of this gifted group should be adequate to ensure a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite European Cup. The Clarets' Tough Task The home side, though, will not roll over. Despite boasting only a dozen points and losing 3 of their previous five outings, their performances have frequently been better than the outcomes show. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are set to field an XI that has not had time to gel, arranged in a formation they have been denied for a year or more. Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.