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The former manager's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the negative reasons. During the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor secured a league finish as disappointing as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of matches. Moreover, he infamously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a final loss to Spurs, particularly the current version of Tottenham.

The game, but, is rarely so straightforward. Despite the negative press of his favored system, he leaves behind a team in a much stronger position than that which he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck reported that fellow players were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in a long time. The play in a breathtaking four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exciting.

Even though it is hard to dispute the termination—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his comments about superiors with more miserable track records—his demise was finally hampered by terrible luck. If the absence of crucial stars not happened at the same time as the loss of other essential individuals, he may remain in the position—maybe succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably stable state of affairs. Important players like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Simply prudent management of this gifted group should be adequate to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Test

Burnley, though, are unlikely to roll over. Even with having only 12 points and losing 3 of their last five games, their showings have at times been better than the outcomes indicate. Manager Parker will surely have his side revved up to attack United who are set to field an lineup that has never played together, set up in a setup they have gone without for more than a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.