Darren Fletcher will lead Manchester United against Burnley on Wednesday after being appointed interim manager, fulfilling a prediction made by Sir Alex Ferguson years ago. The 41-year-old Scot takes over following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday, less than 24 hours after United's 1-1 draw at Leeds.
Fletcher, a former United midfielder, had previously served as an assistant to Erik ten Hag before becoming head coach of the club's under-18s in July. Now he steps up to the first team for at least one match as the Old Trafford hierarchy considers their next move.
In a 2017 interview, Ferguson revealed he had started preparing Fletcher for a coaching role after the player was diagnosed with chronic bowel disease in 2011. 'I'm starting to think maybe he's not going to make it,' Ferguson recalled. 'I started preparing him along the lines that he could become a coach with us... It was an absolute certainty.'
Ferguson recounted a reserve game at Altrincham where Fletcher, then still a player, took charge of tactics and motivation. 'He's got the presence, he's got the sacrifice,' Ferguson said. 'When you become a manager, it's a sacrifice... You need to have the type of wife who understands that.'
