The former manager's tenure at the Red Devils has been labeled a significant letdown. Looking at the numbers, his performance is remarkable for all the wrong factors. Throughout the Premier League era, no boss at the club has achieved fewer points per game, nor managed a standing as disappointing as 15th place. Examining the archives, you have to return to the manager Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a United boss who was defeated in a larger share of matches. Additionally, he famously etched his name in United's annals by suffering a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, namely Postecoglou's side of Tottenham.
Football, though, is seldom so straightforward. Regardless of the scrutiny of his favored system, Amorim leaves behind a club in a far better position than the one he inherited. Earlier this season, following a defeat of Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that teammates were lauding their opponents as the finest team they had played against in a while. The performance in a exhilarating 4-4 draw with Bournemouth was equally hopeful and thrilling.
While it is tough to argue against the dismissal—especially given it was reportedly triggered by his comments about superiors with more miserable track records—Amorim's exit was in the end hampered by awful luck. If the absence of vital stars not happened at the same time as the loss of other essential individuals, he could still be in the role—perhaps even.
Consequently, the interim boss Fletcher steps into a relatively positive situation. Important figures like Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are now fit, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future be back from the African tournament. Just careful husbandry of this gifted squad ought to be adequate to secure a top-five finish and, with it, continental competition for the following term—probably in the elite European Cup.
Vincent Kompany's team, however, are unlikely to roll over. Although boasting only a dozen points and having lost 3 of their most recent five outings, their displays have often been stronger than the scorelines suggest. Head coach Scott Parker will undoubtedly have his squad fired up to take the game to opponents who are likely to start an starting eleven that has lacked cohesion, deployed in a formation they have gone without for more than a year.
Match begins: 8:15 in the evening GMT.
A passionate photographer and educator with over a decade of experience in capturing life's moments through the lens.
Debra Briggs
Debra Briggs
Debra Briggs
Debra Briggs