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The former manager's time at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a notable failure. Looking at the numbers, his performance is notable for all the wrong causes. Throughout the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has managed a worse points return, nor secured a final position as poor as 15th place. Looking deeper into history, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Moreover, he infamously carved a niche in the team's history by enduring a loss in a final to Tottenham, particularly Postecoglou's iteration of Tottenham.

Life, however, is seldom so straightforward. Despite the negative press of his tactical approach, the Portuguese manager departs from a squad in a much stronger position than the one he found. In a prior match this term, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that his colleagues were praising their opponents as the best team they had encountered in some time. The play in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and thrilling.

Although it is hard to argue against the dismissal—particularly given it was said to be caused by his criticism of superiors with even worse histories—his downfall was finally stymied by awful fortune. If injuries to crucial stars not coincided with the unavailability of other important members, he could still be in the position—maybe thriving.

Fletcher Takes the Reins

As a result, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a fairly solid state of affairs. Key figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will soon return from the Afcon. Simply sensible husbandry of this skilled group is expected to be enough to ensure a fifth-place finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—in all likelihood in the coveted UEFA Champions League.

Burnley's Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, though, will not be a pushover. Despite boasting only 12 points and having lost 3 of their previous five games, their performances have frequently been stronger than the outcomes show. Manager Scott Parker will surely have his team pumped up to attack opponents who are set to play an XI that has not had time to gel, arranged in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.

Match begins: 20:15 GMT.