By Martin Graham
Darren Fletcher has revealed that he contacted Sir Alex Ferguson before accepting the temporary leadership responsibility Manchester United. The former midfielder oversees the squad for Wednesday’s league visit Burnley and is also expected to be on the touchline for Sunday’s FA Cup meeting with Brighton.
The 41-year-old explained that he values ​​the guidance of his former manager and did not want to continue without first sharing his intentions. Ferguson, now 84, was present at Elland Road for Ruben Amorim’s last game, a 1-1 draw with Leeds which preceded the manager’s explosive press conference and subsequent firing.
Fletcher said his discussion with Ferguson reinforced his own thinking. He stressed that serving the club’s interests is a responsibility that comes with working at Manchester United, and reassurance from someone he deeply respects provided welcome comfort at a turbulent time.
Manage criticism and external focus
One of Amorim’s sharpest criticisms before his departure was that influential voices at the club listen too much to TV pundits, including former captain Gary Neville. Fletcher, who once shared a dressing room with many of those now offering opinions, said such scrutiny is part of life at United.
Reflecting on his own early career, Fletcher recalled facing strong judgment while trying to establish himself two decades ago. He believes the current group needs to accept that former players who achieved great success have the right to speak freely about standards and performances.
According to Fletcher, the challenge lies in learning to deal with this noise rather than resisting it. He argued that criticism from figures who have collected medals and honors is hard to shake off, but accepting that pressure is an essential element of wearing a United shirt.
Short preparation time and family connections
Since taking the interim role, Fletcher admitted his schedule has left few opportunities for one-on-one discussions with the entire team. Their conversations have mainly involved Captain Bruno Fernandes and big personalities, along with meetings with newcomers Matthew Cunha i Benjamin Šeško. porter Senne Lammens it was discussed before, while Bryan Mbeumo remains unavailable due to international obligations at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fletcher also confirmed that he has tried to reach Amorim, although no contact has yet been made. He expressed gratitude for the former coach, especially for the opportunities given to his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, but stressed the need to move forward quickly and regain energy within the group.
The caretaker manager’s journey at United spans three decades, from arriving at the age of 11 to making more than 300 first-team appearances and collecting numerous honors under Ferguson. Health challenges later interrupted his playing career, but surgery in 2013 allowed him to return to a normal life ahead of spells at West Brom and Stoke and retirement in 2020.
Since then, Fletcher has returned to various roles, including youth coach, first-team duties and technical leadership, before taking permanent charge of the Under-18s last summer. Now, with his sons emerging at senior level, he is on the brink of a rare moment in English football, potentially managing his own sons at the top flight.
