The Clarets Clash With United in Pivotal Top-Flight Match
The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils is considered by many to have been a notable letdown. Looking at the numbers, his record is remarkable for all the wrong reasons. During the modern top-flight period, no boss at the club has recorded fewer points per game, nor achieved a standing as poor as 15th in the table. Looking deeper into history, you have to revisit Frank O'Farrell in the early seventies to find a Red Devils' gaffer who lost a higher percentage of matches. Furthermore, he infamously secured a place in United's annals by suffering a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, specifically Ange Postecoglou's iteration of Spurs.
Football, however, is rarely that simple. Regardless of the criticism of his tactical approach, he leaves behind a club in a far better condition than the one he inherited. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, Welbeck reported that fellow players were hailing United as the best team they had played against in a long time. The play in a thrilling high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exciting.
Although it is hard to dispute the dismissal—especially given it was allegedly triggered by his criticism of executives with poorer track records—his demise was finally stymied by awful luck. Had injuries to vital players not occurred alongside the absence of other pivotal figures, he may remain in the job—maybe succeeding.
Fresh Start for United
Therefore, the interim boss Fletcher takes over a reasonably positive state of affairs. Star players like Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Just sensible management of this talented group ought to be enough to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for next season—probably in the elite European Cup.
The Clarets' Tough Task
Burnley, but, won't roll over. Although having only a dozen points and suffering defeats in three of their last five outings, their showings have at times been stronger than the outcomes indicate. Head coach Parker will surely have his side pumped up to take the game to the visitors who are expected to start an XI that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have been denied for more than a year.
Start time: 8:15 in the evening GMT.
