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The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the wrong factors. In the Premier League era, no United manager has achieved fewer points per game, nor secured a final position as poor as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of games. Moreover, he infamously etched his name in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

The game, however, is seldom so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a far better condition than that which he found. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck relayed that teammates were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in some time. The play in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both promising and thrilling.

Even though it is tough to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding superiors with more miserable records—his demise was ultimately hampered by terrible luck. Had fitness issues for vital stars not occurred alongside the absence of other essential figures, he may remain in the role—possibly thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably positive state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just careful husbandry of this gifted squad is expected to be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

The home side, but, will not make things easy. Although having only 12 points and having lost three of their most recent five outings, their displays have often been more impressive than the results suggest. Head coach Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad pumped up to take the game to opponents who are set to play an lineup that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.