Darren Fletcher Takes Interim Charge at Manchester United
Darren Fletcher has revealed that he sought the approval of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson before accepting the role of interim manager at Old Trafford.
Fletcher will lead the team during Wednesday's Premier League match against Burnley, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, and is expected to remain in charge for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Brighton.
His decision came after discussions with Ferguson, 84, who attended Elland Road for Amorim's final game, a 1-1 draw against Leeds, which preceded a press conference that led to Amorim's exit.
"I don’t like to make any major decisions without consulting Sir Alex," said the 41-year-old. "I have a strong relationship with him, so I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately gain his blessing. He deserves that respect.
"I wanted to run it by him, and he echoed my thoughts. When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your responsibility to do your best for Manchester United. That’s something I strive to uphold every day, so it was reassuring to hear him say that."
Amorim had expressed concerns that senior officials at Old Trafford were overly influenced by pundits, particularly former captain Gary Neville, during his tenure. Fletcher, who played alongside many of these pundits and remains friends with them, understands the scrutiny the current squad faces.
"You can’t ask them to go easier on us because they’re passionate and entitled to their opinions, and they provide valuable insights. I enjoy listening to them; I spent years absorbing their views in the dressing room," he stated.
"The external criticism is challenging to manage because these players have achieved great success. It’s tough to counter their critiques when they have trophies to show for their efforts. But that’s part of being a Manchester United player: you must adapt, learn to handle it, and embrace the challenge."
Fletcher acknowledged that his busy schedule since taking over has limited his ability to speak with the squad individually. He has primarily communicated with captain Bruno Fernandes and new senior players, including Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, while goalkeeper Senne Lammens was contacted last week. However, he has not yet spoken with Bryan Mbeumo, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.
Fletcher also mentioned that he has not yet been able to reach Amorim, who recently provided Fletcher's son, Jack, with his debut and included his twin brother, Tyler, on the bench for the past three matches.
"I’ve attempted to reach out to him but haven’t been able to establish contact yet, which is understandable given his circumstances. He has a lot on his plate, and I’ve been quite busy myself," Fletcher noted.
"I would love to speak with him because I had a good relationship with Ruben, and he treated me well. However, it's crucial to move on quickly in football, as it can be a ruthless industry. We aim to foster energy and spirit within the team, and I hope to see more of that tomorrow."
Fletcher's Journey from Academy to Manager at Manchester United
Fletcher joined Manchester United from Celtic at the age of 11 in 1995 and made over 300 appearances for the club. He broke into the first team in 2003, becoming one of Ferguson's most trusted midfielders.
During his time with United, Fletcher contributed to five Premier League titles, three Community Shields, an FA Cup, a League Cup, a Champions League title, and a Club World Cup. He played a total of 342 matches for the club before transferring to West Brom in 2015.
His career was significantly impacted by the chronic bowel disease ulcerative colitis, which limited his appearances to just 12 during the 2011-12 season after his diagnosis in December 2011. In a 2014 interview, Fletcher described his initial nonchalance about the diagnosis, which caused severe symptoms.
After undergoing surgery in January 2013, he was able to return to a normal life, but during the peak of his illness, he struggled to leave his home.
Following his departure from United in 2015, Fletcher continued his Premier League career with West Brom and Stoke City before retiring in 2020. Since then, he has taken on various roles at United, starting as the under-16s coach in October 2020, before progressing to first-team coach and technical director. Last summer, he was appointed as manager of the under-18s.
Recently, the Fletcher name has gained prominence again at United, as his 18-year-old twin sons, Jack and Tyler, have begun their professional careers. Jack, an England youth international, made his Premier League debut in a December match against Aston Villa, while Tyler represents Scotland and has been included in the first-team squad for United's last three Premier League games. Both twins spent nine years at Manchester City’s academy before transferring to Old Trafford in 2023.
If the Fletcher twins take the field at Turf Moor on Wednesday, they will join a select group of players managed by their fathers in the English top flight.