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The former manager's spell at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a significant failure. By any measure, his record stands out for all the wrong causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has achieved fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as low as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a higher percentage of matches. Additionally, he notoriously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a loss in a final to Tottenham, namely Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Life, but, is not often so straightforward. Regardless of the criticism of his favored system, the Portuguese manager exits a team in a much stronger condition than the one he found. Months ago, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding United as the most impressive opposition they had encountered in a long time. The football in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was equally encouraging and exciting.

Although it is difficult to dispute the decision to sack him—especially given it was reportedly caused by his comments about bosses with more miserable records—his exit was finally stymied by atrocious luck. If fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the loss of other important figures, he could still be in the position—maybe even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably stable state of affairs. Key figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Amad Diallo and Mbeumo will soon rejoin from the Afcon. Just careful stewardship of this gifted group should be adequate to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European football for the coming campaign—probably in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Daunting Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, won't be a pushover. Although having only twelve points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five matches, their showings have at times been more impressive than the scorelines show. Boss Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad fired up to take the game to the visitors who are likely to start an starting eleven that has never played together, deployed in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.