🔗 Share this article

The former manager's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a significant disappointment. Looking at the numbers, his results stands out for all the poor factors. Throughout the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, or managed a standing as disappointing as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he notoriously etched his name in the team's history by suffering a loss in a final to Tottenham, namely the current iteration of Spurs.

Life, however, is not often so black and white. Despite the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, he exits a club in a significantly improved state than the one he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a win against Brighton, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had played against in a while. Their performance in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Although it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly caused by his criticism of superiors with poorer records—his exit was finally hampered by terrible luck. If injuries to key stars not coincided with the loss of other essential members, he may remain in the position—perhaps succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

Consequently, Fletcher steps into a fairly stable state of affairs. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible management of this gifted squad should be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—most likely in the prestigious European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Challenge

The home side, but, will not be a pushover. Even with having only 12 points and losing 3 of their most recent five games, their performances have frequently been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Boss Scott Parker will surely have his squad revved up to take the game to the visitors who are set to play an XI that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have gone without for over a year.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.