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The former manager's spell at Manchester United is considered by many to have been a major letdown. Statistically speaking, his performance is notable for all the wrong factors. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has recorded fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as poor as the 15th spot. Looking deeper into history, you have to go back to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who was defeated in a greater proportion of matches. Additionally, he infamously secured a place in club lore by experiencing a cup final defeat to Spurs, specifically the current iteration of Spurs.

Football, though, is seldom that simple. In spite of the negative press of his tactical approach, he departs from a club in a far better position than that which he inherited. Earlier this season, following a win against Brighton & Hove Albion, the striker Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the finest side they had encountered in a long time. Their performance in a exhilarating high-scoring tie with Bournemouth was both encouraging and exhilarating.

While it is difficult to contest the decision to sack him—especially given it was allegedly sparked by his comments about bosses with poorer histories—his exit was in the end stymied by awful luck. Had fitness issues for vital players not occurred alongside the loss of other essential individuals, he could still be in the position—possibly succeeding.

A New Era Begins

Therefore, Fletcher steps into a reasonably stable situation. Important players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future rejoin from the Africa Cup of Nations. Just sensible husbandry of this talented squad ought to be sufficient to guarantee a top-five finish and, with it, European football for next season—most likely in the elite UEFA Champions League.

The Clarets' Tough Task

Vincent Kompany's team, but, won't make things easy. Despite having only 12 points and suffering defeats in three of their previous five games, their displays have at times been better than the outcomes indicate. Boss Scott Parker will certainly have his side revved up to take the game to United who are expected to start an lineup that has never played together, deployed in a system they have gone without for over a year.

Start time: 20:15 GMT.