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The former manager's spell at Old Trafford was widely regarded as a notable failure. By any measure, his record stands out for all the wrong factors. In the modern top-flight period, no United manager has recorded a lower points average, nor secured a league finish as low as 15th place. Delving further back, you have to revisit the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of games. Furthermore, he notoriously etched his name in club lore by enduring a loss in a final to Spurs, specifically Postecoglou's version of Spurs.

Football, though, is not often so straightforward. Despite the scrutiny of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a club in a significantly improved condition than that which he took over. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck shared that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the finest side they had played against in some time. Their play in a thrilling 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth was both hopeful and thrilling.

Although it is tough to dispute the termination—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about superiors with more miserable histories—his downfall was finally stymied by terrible luck. If the absence of vital players not happened at the same time as the absence of other pivotal figures, he could still be in the job—perhaps even.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably solid situation. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are back to fitness, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the African tournament. Simply sensible management of this skilled squad ought to be enough to secure a fifth-place finish and, with it, European competition for the coming campaign—in all likelihood in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, however, will not roll over. Although boasting only twelve points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five matches, their performances have at times been more impressive than the scorelines suggest. Boss Parker will undoubtedly have his squad pumped up to attack United who are expected to play an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, arranged in a system they have been denied for over a year.

Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.