Manchester United’s post-Ruben Amorim era will officially begin on Wednesday, when the Red Devils make the trip to Turf Moor to tackle relegation-threatened Burnley.
Amorim was sacked as head coach on Monday,
with Darren Fletcher placed in charge on an interim basis, and the former Man United midfielder will lead the team in gameweek 21.
It was never going to end well when Amorim openly criticised the powers-that-be at Man United following Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United, although it did still come as somewhat of a surprise that the Portuguese lost his job on Monday morning.
Amorim has left the Red Devils sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and only three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool – a top-four spot is very much on this season, but there are some very tough matches to come.
Fletcher will lead Man United into Wednesday’s game at Burnley and is also set to be in charge against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup this weekend, but it remains to be seen whether a caretaker manager is appointed before the Premier League double-header against Manchester City and Arsenal towards the end of the month.
A permanent replacement for Amorim might not arrive until this summer, but whoever is in charge in the coming months has a very important job to do, with the club looking to secure a return to Europe for the 2026-27 campaign.
Man United, Fletcher has revealed that Fernandes and Mason Mount are both in line to return to the squad after recovering from injury problems, and there could be an immediate return to the starting lineup for the club captain.
Bryan Mbeumo (AFCON), Amad Diallo (AFCON) and Noussair Mazraoui (AFCON) are still absent, while Kobbie Mainoo (calf) Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Harry Maguire (thigh) are expected to miss out due to injury problems.
Fletcher is set to select a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Patrick Dorgu potentially operating down the right, while there should also be starts for Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko in attack.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have been relatively solid as a midfield duo of late, and the lack of options in that area could mean that the pair continue, while Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martinez may feature as the centre-back duo.
Premier League Schedule
It’s an evening kickoff in the UK, which means a 3:00 p.m. kickoff on the East Coast of the U.S.
Premier League Channel
The match is on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Those Stateside can watch on USA or stream the match on NBC Sports. In Canada, it’s on DAZN and Fubo.
Everyone else, head on over to LiveSoccerTV to find your viewing options.
Predicted Lineup
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha; Sesko
