Darren Fletcher confirmed he sought the advice and blessing of his former mentor Sir Alex Ferguson before stepping in as interim manager of Manchester United, following the dramatic exit of Ruben Amorim.
Fletcher, 41, will lead the Red Devils in Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley and is expected to remain in charge for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton. The former United midfielder spoke candidly about why consulting Ferguson was important to him.
“I don’t like to make any major decisions without speaking to Sir Alex,” Fletcher said.
“I have a really good relationship with him, so I wanted to run it by him and get his blessing. When you’re an employee of this club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United. It was comforting to hear his thoughts echoed mine.”
Ferguson, 84, had attended Amorim’s final game in charge at Leeds — a 1-1 draw — shortly before the Portuguese coach’s explosive press conference led to his dismissal.
Handling Pressure, Outside Noise, and Former Teammates
Fletcher also reflected on the challenges United players face from media scrutiny, particularly from former stars like Gary Neville, who Amorim had criticised during his post-match rant.
“You can’t ask them to go easier — they have a right to their opinions,” Fletcher said.
“They’re engaging, good to listen to, and very experienced. That’s part of being a Manchester United player. You have to deal with it and embrace the challenge.”
Since stepping in, Fletcher has limited individual meetings to senior players, including Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and goalkeeper Senne Lammens, with others like Bryan Mbeumo unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Fletcher has not yet been able to speak with Amorim personally.
“I’d love to because I had a good relationship with Ruben and he was great with me,” Fletcher added.
“But it’s important to move on quickly. Football is a cruel game, so we need to create energy and spirit for the squad.”
Fletcher’s Manchester United Legacy
Fletcher’s career at United spans decades. Joining the club from Celtic as an 11-year-old in 1995, he made over 300 senior appearances, winning five Premier League titles, three Community Shields, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup.
His playing career was heavily impacted by ulcerative colitis, which limited him to just 12 appearances in the 2011-12 season. Surgery in 2013 allowed him to regain his health and continue playing at the top level before moving to West Brom and later Stoke City.
Since retiring in 2020, Fletcher returned to United in multiple roles: under-16 coach, first-team coach, technical director, and, most recently, under-18 manager.
The Next Generation: Fletcher Twins in the First Team
Darren Fletcher’s legacy at United now extends to his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, who are making their mark at Old Trafford. Jack, 18, is an England youth international who debuted in the Premier League in December, while Tyler represents Scotland and has featured in the first-team squad for the past three games.
Both brothers spent nine years at Manchester City’s academy before joining United in 2023. Should they feature under their father at Turf Moor on Wednesday, they would join a rare list of players managed by their fathers in the English top flight.
What’s Next for Fletcher at Manchester United?
Stepping in at a club of United’s stature is never easy, especially following the tumultuous exit of Amorim. Fletcher’s immediate task will be to steady the squad, manage high-profile players, and bring focus and energy back to Old Trafford ahead of crucial Premier League and FA Cup fixtures.
“It’s an amazing honour,” Fletcher said.
“I’ll do everything I can to get the team performing, to create belief, and to give our supporters something to cheer about.”
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