The Clarets Take On Manchester United in Crucial Top-Flight Fixture
The former manager's time at Old Trafford is considered by many to have been a major disappointment. Statistically speaking, his results stands out for all the wrong reasons. In the contemporary football age, no United manager has managed a lower points average, nor managed a standing as low as 15th in the table. Delving further back, you have to go back to Frank O'Farrell in 1972 to find a manager at the club who lost a larger share of fixtures. Additionally, he infamously etched his name in the team's history by experiencing a final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, particularly the current version of Spurs.
Football, however, is rarely so black and white. Regardless of the criticism of his tactical approach, he departs from a club in a significantly improved position than the one he found. Earlier this season, following a victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Welbeck relayed that fellow players were hailing their opponents as the finest team they had encountered in some time. The performance in a breathtaking high-scoring tie with AFC Bournemouth was equally promising and thrilling.
While it is tough to contest the termination—especially given it was said to be sparked by his comments about bosses with more miserable records—his exit was in the end hindered by awful luck. Had fitness issues for vital players not coincided with the unavailability of other pivotal members, he might remain in the job—possibly succeeding.
Fletcher Takes the Reins
Therefore, Darren Fletcher takes over a fairly solid scenario. Key players like Mason Mount, Fernandes, and Kobbie Mainoo are available again, while Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo will in the near future return from the Afcon. Simply careful management of this gifted group ought to be sufficient to ensure a top-five finish and, with it, European competition for next season—probably in the elite UEFA Champions League.
The Clarets' Tough Test
Vincent Kompany's team, but, will not be a pushover. Although boasting only 12 points and suffering defeats in 3 of their last five outings, their showings have often been better than the results suggest. Head coach Parker will certainly have his team revved up to get after United who are set to start an lineup that has never played together, set up in a formation they have gone without for over a year.
Kick-off: 8.15pm GMT.
