🔗 Share this article Burnley Take On Man United in Pivotal Top-Flight Match Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a notable failure. By any measure, his record stands out for all the wrong causes. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has achieved a lower points average, nor achieved a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of matches. Additionally, he notoriously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham, particularly Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs. Life, however, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, he exits a squad in a significantly improved position than the one he found. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding United as the finest team they had faced in some time. Their play in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exhilarating. While it is difficult to argue against the dismissal—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding bosses with poorer track records—Amorim's exit was ultimately stymied by terrible fortune. Had fitness issues for crucial stars not occurred alongside the loss of other essential individuals, he could still be in the role—possibly thriving. Fletcher Takes the Reins Therefore, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably stable scenario. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the African tournament. Simply prudent management of this talented group should be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for next season—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Burnley's Formidable Test Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't make things easy. Although boasting only 12 points and losing three of their previous five matches, their displays have frequently been better than the scorelines show. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to attack the visitors who are likely to field an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a formation they have gone without for a year or more. Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.