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The former manager's spell at Old Trafford has been labeled a significant disappointment. By any measure, his performance is remarkable for all the poor causes. In the Premier League era, no United manager has achieved a lower points average, or managed a final position as poor as the 15th spot. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a United boss who lost a higher percentage of games. Additionally, he notoriously carved a niche in United's annals by enduring a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely the current version of Tottenham.

Life, though, is rarely so straightforward. In spite of the criticism of his tactical approach, he exits a club in a far better condition than the one he found. Months ago, following a win against Brighton, Danny Welbeck shared that fellow players were praising United as the best opposition they had faced in a while. Their football in a thrilling four-all stalemate with AFC Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.

Although it is difficult to argue against the decision to sack him—particularly given it was allegedly caused by his comments about superiors with more miserable histories—his exit was finally hampered by awful fortune. If injuries to key stars not happened at the same time as the absence of other essential individuals, he could still be in the role—maybe thriving.

A New Era Begins

Consequently, Darren Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive situation. Key players like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Afcon. Simply sensible husbandry of this talented roster is expected to be sufficient to guarantee a finish in the European spots and, with it, European competition for the following term—in all likelihood in the coveted Champions League.

Burnley's Formidable Challenge

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't roll over. Despite boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five matches, their showings have frequently been better than the results suggest. Manager Parker will undoubtedly have his squad fired up to get after opponents who are likely to play an starting eleven that has never played together, deployed in a formation they have been denied for a year or more.

Kick-off: 8:15 in the evening GMT.