Burnley Face Off Against Manchester United in Crucial Premier League Fixture
The former manager's spell at the Red Devils was widely regarded as a major failure. Statistically speaking, his performance stands out for all the poor reasons. In the modern top-flight period, not a single Man Utd boss has managed a worse points return, nor managed a standing as poor as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a greater proportion of fixtures. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in club lore by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, specifically the current iteration of Spurs.
Football, but, is seldom that simple. Despite the scrutiny of his tactical approach, Amorim leaves behind a squad in a significantly improved position than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck reported that fellow players were lauding United as the best side they had faced in a while. The play in a breathtaking 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both promising and exciting.
While it is tough to contest the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about superiors with even worse records—his demise was in the end hampered by atrocious fortune. Had the absence of crucial players not occurred alongside the loss of other important members, he may still be in the job—perhaps thriving.
A New Era Begins
Consequently, Fletcher inherits a relatively solid scenario. Important players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon be back from the Afcon. Simply prudent management of this talented group ought to be enough to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, continental competition for next season—most likely in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
The Clarets' Daunting Test
The home side, though, will not make things easy. Although boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their last five matches, their performances have at times been better than the scorelines indicate. Head coach Parker will certainly have his squad revved up to get after the visitors who are expected to start an lineup that has never played together, deployed in a system they have gone without for more than a year.
Kick-off: 20:15 GMT.
