Burnley Take On Man United in Pivotal English Top Division Encounter
Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. By any measure, his results stands out for all the wrong factors. Throughout the Premier League era, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor secured a league finish as poor as 15th in the table. Examining the archives, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a greater proportion of matches. Furthermore, he infamously carved a niche in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.
Football, though, is not often so black and white. In spite of the criticism of his favored system, he leaves behind a team in a much stronger position than the one he inherited. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck shared that his colleagues were hailing United as the most impressive side they had encountered in some time. The performance in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.
Even though it is hard to dispute the termination—particularly given it was said to be caused by his comments about bosses with poorer track records—Amorim's downfall was in the end stymied by awful luck. Had injuries to crucial personnel not coincided with the absence of other essential members, he could remain in the role—perhaps thriving.
A New Era Begins
Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably stable situation. Important players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Merely careful management of this talented group should be adequate to secure a top-five finish and, with it, European football for the following term—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.
The Clarets' Formidable Task
Burnley, though, will not make things easy. Although having only a dozen points and losing three of their last five outings, their performances have often been better than the results show. Head coach Scott Parker will certainly have his squad pumped up to attack the visitors who are likely to play an XI that has not had time to gel, set up in a system they have gone without for a year or more.
Match begins: 20:15 GMT.
