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The former manager's spell at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable letdown. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the wrong reasons. Throughout the contemporary football age, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a worse points return, nor managed a league finish as low as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a greater proportion of games. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by suffering a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

The game, though, is rarely that simple. In spite of the negative press of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a far better condition than that which he found. Months ago, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising their opponents as the finest side they had faced in some time. The play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exhilarating.

Although it is difficult to argue against the termination—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his comments about executives with even worse histories—his demise was finally hampered by terrible luck. If the absence of crucial stars not occurred alongside the absence of other important members, he could remain in the role—perhaps thriving.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a relatively solid situation. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Simply careful husbandry of this talented group ought to be adequate to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Daunting Task

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't make things easy. Even with having only a dozen points and losing 3 of their last five games, their performances have often been more impressive than the outcomes suggest. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his side pumped up to get after United who are expected to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, set up in a formation they have gone without for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.