🔗 Share this article

The former manager's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance stands out for all the poor causes. During the Premier League era, not a single Man Utd boss has recorded a worse points return, or managed a league finish as low as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a Red Devils' gaffer who was defeated in a larger share of fixtures. Furthermore, he famously secured a place in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham, namely the current side of the North London club.

Football, however, is seldom so straightforward. Despite the negative press of his favored system, he departs from a team in a far better position than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton, Welbeck reported that teammates were lauding United as the finest team they had played against in a long time. Their performance in a thrilling four-all stalemate with Bournemouth was both hopeful and exciting.

Although it is tough to contest the termination—especially given it was said to be triggered by his comments about executives with poorer histories—his exit was finally hampered by terrible luck. If fitness issues for vital personnel not coincided with the absence of other pivotal figures, he could still be in the position—maybe even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher inherits a reasonably solid situation. Key players like Mount, Fernandes, and Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely careful stewardship of this gifted roster is expected to be adequate to guarantee a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the following term—most likely in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Formidable Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, will not make things easy. Even with having only a dozen points and losing three of their most recent five games, their performances have often been better than the results indicate. Head coach Parker will surely have his side fired up to take the game to United who are set to start an starting eleven that has never played together, set up in a setup they have been denied for over a year.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.