🔗 Share this article

The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a significant failure. Statistically speaking, his performance is remarkable for all the negative factors. During the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a lower points average, or secured a standing as poor as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a larger share of fixtures. Additionally, he famously secured a place in United's annals by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Ange Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.

Football, but, is rarely so black and white. In spite of the criticism of his 3-4-2-1 formation, the Portuguese manager exits a squad in a much stronger state than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck shared that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the finest opposition they had faced in a long time. Their performance in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

While it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—particularly given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about bosses with poorer track records—his exit was ultimately hampered by atrocious luck. Had injuries to key personnel not occurred alongside the unavailability of other pivotal members, he might remain in the role—possibly succeeding.

Fresh Start for United

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a reasonably solid state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply careful management of this talented roster should be enough to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—probably in the elite European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not make things easy. Although boasting only a dozen points and losing three of their most recent five outings, their showings have often been more impressive than the outcomes indicate. Head coach Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his side revved up to attack opponents who are likely to field an XI that has never played together, set up in a system they have gone without for a year or more.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.