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The former manager's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable letdown. By any measure, his results is remarkable for all the wrong reasons. During the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded fewer points per game, or secured a standing as poor as the 15th spot. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a higher percentage of games. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

The game, however, is not often so black and white. Regardless of the negative press of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a significantly improved position than that which he found. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the most impressive team they had played against in some time. Their play in a thrilling 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and exciting.

Even though it is tough to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his remarks regarding superiors with even worse track records—his downfall was ultimately hampered by atrocious fortune. If injuries to crucial players not occurred alongside the absence of other essential figures, he may still be in the job—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a fairly solid scenario. Important figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just sensible management of this talented group should be adequate to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the following term—probably in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Daunting Challenge

Burnley, however, are unlikely to make things easy. Despite boasting only a dozen points and losing three of their previous five games, their showings have often been more impressive than the scorelines show. Head coach Scott Parker will certainly have his squad revved up to take the game to United who are set to play an lineup that has never played together, arranged in a setup they have gone without for over a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.