Burnley Clash With United in Pivotal Top-Flight Encounter

The former manager's spell at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a notable disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results is remarkable for all the wrong causes. Throughout the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded a worse points return, nor secured a league finish as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to return to Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who lost a higher percentage of fixtures. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in club lore by suffering a cup final defeat to Spurs, specifically the current iteration of Tottenham.

The game, though, is rarely so straightforward. Regardless of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a significantly improved position than the one he inherited. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that his colleagues were hailing their opponents as the best opposition they had encountered in a while. Their play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exciting.

While it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—particularly given it was said to be triggered by his criticism of bosses with even worse records—his exit was finally hampered by awful fortune. If injuries to vital players not occurred alongside the absence of other important individuals, he may remain in the role—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a relatively stable state of affairs. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the African tournament. Simply sensible stewardship of this talented group should be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for next season—in all likelihood in the prestigious European Cup.

Burnley's Tough Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, though, are unlikely to roll over. Even with boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five matches, their showings have at times been more impressive than the results suggest. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his team pumped up to attack opponents who are expected to field an starting eleven that has not had time to gel, deployed in a formation they have not used for over a year.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.