Burnley Clash With Man United in Pivotal Top-Flight Fixture
Amorim's tenure at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Looking at the numbers, his results stands out for all the wrong causes. Throughout the contemporary football age, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, or managed a league finish as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of games. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by suffering a final loss to Tottenham, specifically Postecoglou's side of Spurs.
Life, though, is not often so straightforward. In spite of the scrutiny of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a much stronger position than that which he inherited. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising their opponents as the most impressive opposition they had played against in a while. The performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.
While it is hard to argue against the termination—particularly given it was reportedly sparked by his criticism of executives with poorer records—Amorim's demise was ultimately hindered by atrocious luck. If fitness issues for key personnel not occurred alongside the absence of other essential members, he may remain in the job—possibly even.
A New Era Begins
As a result, Fletcher inherits a relatively stable scenario. Key players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the African tournament. Merely careful stewardship of this talented squad is expected to be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for next season—probably in the elite European Cup.
The Clarets' Daunting Challenge
Vincent Kompany's team, but, are unlikely to be a pushover. Even with having only a dozen points and losing three of their last five games, their performances have at times been more impressive than the scorelines indicate. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his squad pumped up to take the game to opponents who are expected to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, set up in a system they have not used for a year or more.
Start time: 20:15 GMT.
