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The former manager's spell at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a significant letdown. By any measure, his performance is notable for all the negative reasons. During the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has managed a lower points average, nor managed a league finish as disappointing as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a greater proportion of games. Moreover, he famously carved a niche in the team's history by experiencing a cup final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's side of Spurs.

Football, though, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the criticism of his tactical approach, he leaves behind a club in a far better condition than the one he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that teammates were praising United as the most impressive opposition they had faced in a long time. The play in a thrilling 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and thrilling.

Although it is tough to argue against the termination—particularly given it was allegedly triggered by his comments about bosses with poorer records—his exit was ultimately stymied by atrocious fortune. If the absence of crucial stars not coincided with the loss of other essential members, he may still be in the job—perhaps even.

A New Era Begins

As a result, Darren Fletcher steps into a fairly stable state of affairs. Star figures like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will shortly rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Merely sensible stewardship of this gifted group ought to be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, continental football for the coming campaign—probably in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Task

Burnley, but, will not be a pushover. Despite boasting only a dozen points and losing three of their last five games, their displays have often been more impressive than the scorelines show. Head coach Scott Parker will surely have his squad revved up to get after the visitors who are expected to field an lineup that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a formation they have been denied for over a year.

Start time: 8.15pm GMT.