Burnley Clash With Manchester United in Key Top-Flight Match
Amorim's time at Old Trafford has been labeled a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results is remarkable for all the negative causes. During the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has managed fewer points per game, or achieved a league finish as poor as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Moreover, he notoriously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.
Life, though, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, Amorim exits a team in a much stronger state than the one he inherited. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton, the striker Welbeck reported that teammates were hailing United as the best opposition they had faced in some time. Their football in a thrilling 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.
While it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about bosses with even worse track records—Amorim's exit was in the end hampered by atrocious fortune. If injuries to key personnel not happened at the same time as the unavailability of other essential individuals, he might still be in the job—possibly even.
Fresh Start for United
As a result, Darren Fletcher inherits a fairly solid scenario. Important figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the African tournament. Simply careful stewardship of this skilled squad should be adequate to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for the coming campaign—probably in the prestigious Champions League.
The Clarets' Daunting Challenge
Burnley, but, will not be a pushover. Although having only twelve points and losing 3 of their previous five matches, their displays have at times been stronger than the scorelines indicate. Manager Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad fired up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an lineup that has never played together, deployed in a system they have been denied for a year or more.
Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.
