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The former manager's tenure at Manchester United has been labeled a major failure. Statistically speaking, his record stands out for all the wrong reasons. In the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has recorded fewer points per game, nor achieved a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of games. Additionally, he notoriously etched his name in the team's history by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, however, is not often so black and white. Despite the scrutiny of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a significantly improved state than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that his colleagues were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had faced in a while. The play in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.

Even though it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his criticism of executives with poorer histories—his demise was in the end hindered by awful fortune. If fitness issues for crucial personnel not occurred alongside the absence of other essential figures, he could remain in the position—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher steps into a relatively positive situation. Important players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply sensible husbandry of this skilled squad is expected to be enough to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the following term—most likely in the elite European Cup.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Burnley, but, are unlikely to roll over. Despite boasting only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five games, their displays have often been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his team fired up to take the game to opponents who are set to play an XI that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a system they have not used for over a year.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.