Manchester United have turned to club legend Darren Fletcher to steady the ship following the dramatic sacking of manager Ruben Amorim. The former midfielder, who was managing the Under-18s, has been placed in temporary charge after a whirlwind few days at Old Trafford.
A Surreal Honour for a Club Legend
Darren Fletcher described the situation as "surreal" as he addressed the media ahead of his first senior game in charge against Burnley on Wednesday. The interim boss, who made 342 appearances for the Red Devils, admitted leading the team was an honour he never imagined.
"It's an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team," Fletcher stated. "I don't even think it's in my wildest dreams that that was something that could potentially happen." He acknowledged the difficult circumstances of Amorim's departure but emphasised his immediate focus is on the job at hand.
Focus on Burnley, Not the Permanent Job
When questioned about his interest in the managerial role beyond this interim spell, Fletcher was unequivocal. "Honestly, it's not something I've thought about," he insisted. "I'm focusing on Burnley. I think that discussion is for after the game."
Fletcher is expected to remain in the dugout for Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton as the club hierarchy considers its next move. The Press Association understands former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-coach Michael Carrick are under consideration for the caretaker role.
Building a Backroom Team and Squad News
With precious little time to prepare, Fletcher has assembled a coaching team including Under-21s lead coach Travis Binnion, his assistant Alan Wright, and former United defender Jonny Evans. His primary aim for the trip to Turf Moor is to field a side that represents the club's traditions.
"Hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me and what I know is Manchester United," Fletcher said. He believes in the quality and character of the players and aims to give them a platform to express themselves.
In a boost for the squad, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are set to return for the Burnley match, though they will be on managed minutes. The situation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo is less clear, with the midfielder requiring assessment after taking part in a portion of training.
The chain of events began with a heated meeting between Amorim and director of football Jason Wilcox on Friday, which ultimately led to the Portuguese manager's dismissal on Monday. Fletcher now steps into the breach during a critical period for the club.
