🔗 Share this article Burnley Clash With United in Pivotal Top-Flight Match Ruben Amorim's time at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance stands out for all the negative factors. Throughout the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a lower points average, nor secured a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a higher percentage of matches. Moreover, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs. Life, but, is not often that simple. Regardless of the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a much stronger position than the one he found. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that teammates were hailing United as the best opposition they had played against in a long time. Their performance in a exhilarating four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was equally promising and exhilarating. Although it is hard to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about superiors with poorer track records—his downfall was finally hampered by atrocious luck. Had injuries to vital personnel not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other important members, he could still be in the job—perhaps even. A New Era Begins Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly stable situation. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Merely sensible husbandry of this gifted squad should be sufficient to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted Champions League. Burnley's Formidable Task Burnley, but, will not be a pushover. Although having only a dozen points and losing three of their most recent five matches, their showings have often been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will surely have his squad fired up to get after United who are likely to start an lineup that has not had time to gel, set up in a formation they have not used for a year or more. Start time: 8.15pm GMT.