Manchester United's Boxing Day squad selection against Newcastle United marked a special family milestone at Old Trafford. Head coach Ruben Amorim included both teenage twins, Jack and Tyler Fletcher, on his substitutes' bench for the Premier League clash.
A Proud Moment for the Fletcher Family
The brothers, who are the sons of former United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher, joined the Red Devils from Manchester City's academy in 2023 for a reported £1.25million fee. Their inclusion came amid a midfield shortage for Amorim, with key players Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo both injured.
Jack's bench appearance followed his Premier League debut just days earlier, when he came on as a substitute in United's loss to Aston Villa. Amorim praised the youngster's impact, stating, "I think Jack Fletcher did a very good job and that's why when we have this opportunity, we need to give space to guys like Jack and the other ones."
Divided International Allegiances
Despite being twins, Jack and Tyler have chosen to represent different nations on the international stage. This decision is possible because the brothers were born in England while their father played for United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Tyler has followed in his father's footsteps by representing Scotland at youth level. He recently captained Scotland's Under-19 side and scored his first goal at that level in a 2-2 draw with Latvia in November.
Jack, however, has opted to play for England's youth teams. He featured for Will Antwi's England Under-19s during the November international break, notably scoring in a 4-0 victory over Scotland – a match where Tyler was his direct opponent and captain of the Scottish side.
Fan Reaction and Future Prospects
The sight of both Fletcher brothers on the team sheet generated excitement among the United faithful. Supporters took to social media to share their pride, with one fan commenting, "So happy to see the Fletcher twins on the bench together. What a moment for them and their family."
Others reflected on the passage of time, with one noting the journey from watching their father Darren in his prime to now seeing his sons on the cusp of the first team. With Amorim needing to find solutions in midfield during an injury crisis, the door appears open for the talented twins to earn more opportunities in the famous red shirt.
