🔗 Share this article The Clarets Face Off Against Manchester United in Key Top-Flight Fixture Ruben Amorim's time at Manchester United was widely regarded as a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his results stands out for all the wrong reasons. Throughout the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, nor secured a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham, specifically Postecoglou's version of Tottenham. Life, though, is seldom so straightforward. Despite the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a team in a far better condition than the one he found. Months ago, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that teammates were hailing United as the best team they had faced in a long time. Their play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting. While it is tough to contest the termination—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his criticism of superiors with more miserable histories—his exit was in the end stymied by terrible luck. Had fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the loss of other pivotal members, he may still be in the job—perhaps thriving. Fletcher Takes the Reins Consequently, Darren Fletcher inherits a relatively positive situation. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Simply careful management of this skilled squad is expected to be adequate to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the prestigious Champions League. Burnley's Formidable Challenge The home side, though, won't be a pushover. Even with having only 12 points and losing three of their most recent five outings, their displays have frequently been more impressive than the outcomes show. Boss Parker will certainly have his team pumped up to get after opponents who are likely to start an lineup that has never played together, deployed in a system they have gone without for a year or more. Match begins: 20:15 GMT.