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The former manager's time at the Red Devils has been labeled a notable letdown. By any measure, his record is notable for all the poor causes. In the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has recorded a lower points average, nor managed a league finish as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a greater proportion of fixtures. Moreover, he notoriously etched his name in club lore by enduring a cup final defeat to Tottenham, particularly the current version of Spurs.

Life, however, is seldom so black and white. In spite of the negative press of his favored system, the Portuguese manager departs from a team in a much stronger position than the one he found. Months ago, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the most impressive side they had encountered in a long time. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally hopeful and exciting.

While it is difficult to dispute the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be sparked by his remarks regarding bosses with poorer histories—his downfall was in the end hampered by awful fortune. If the absence of key players not happened at the same time as the loss of other important figures, he could remain in the job—possibly succeeding.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a reasonably positive scenario. Star figures like Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly be back from the Afcon. Just sensible management of this skilled group is expected to be adequate to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the coveted European Cup.

The Clarets' Tough Test

Burnley, but, are unlikely to make things easy. Despite having only twelve points and having lost 3 of their most recent five matches, their displays have frequently been better than the results indicate. Head coach Parker will certainly have his team pumped up to attack opponents who are set to play an starting eleven that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have not used for more than a year.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.