🔗 Share this article The Clarets Clash With Man United in Key Premier League Fixture Ruben Amorim's spell at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Looking at the numbers, his results is notable for all the poor causes. In the Premier League era, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor achieved a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Additionally, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly Postecoglou's version of the North London club. Life, but, is seldom that simple. Despite the negative press of his favored system, Amorim departs from a squad in a far better position than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton, Danny Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding their opponents as the best team they had played against in a while. Their performance in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling. While it is difficult to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was reportedly caused by his remarks regarding superiors with even worse track records—Amorim's demise was ultimately stymied by atrocious fortune. If the absence of vital stars not occurred alongside the absence of other essential figures, he may remain in the role—maybe thriving. Fresh Start for United Therefore, Fletcher steps into a relatively solid scenario. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely sensible husbandry of this skilled squad should be sufficient to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted UEFA Champions League. The Clarets' Formidable Challenge The home side, though, won't be a pushover. Even with having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their most recent five matches, their displays have at times been better than the results show. Head coach Parker will certainly have his squad fired up to get after United who are likely to start an XI that has never played together, deployed in a setup they have not used for more than a year. Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.