Manchester United have been granted a special exemption from a standard Premier League rule to accommodate new interim manager Darren Fletcher's first press conference. The event, ahead of Wednesday's trip to Burnley, will now begin at the unconventional time of 5pm.
Rule Bend for Fletcher's Debut
The Premier League's official guidelines state that media briefings must start no later than 1:30pm the day before a match, or on a Friday for weekend fixtures. However, following a specific request from the club, league officials have given United the green light to delay Fletcher's inaugural session with journalists. This unusual allowance was reported by The Manchester Evening News.
Fletcher, 41, was hastily installed as the man in temporary charge after the sudden dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim. The former United midfielder, who was serving as the club's under-18s head coach, took his first training session on Monday. He is being assisted by under-21s boss Travis Binnion as they prepare the squad for the midweek fixture at Turf Moor.
Focus Shifts from Burnley to United's Turmoil
The atmosphere at the club's Carrington training base is described as upbeat, but the press conference is expected to be dominated by topics other than the challenge posed by Scott Parker's Burnley. Amorim's abrupt departure and Fletcher's own ambitions in the hot seat will likely be the primary focus of questioning.
Fletcher is set to be in the dugout for at least the next two matches: the Premier League encounter with Burnley and the FA Cup third-round tie at home to Brighton on Sunday. The club's hierarchy is expected to appoint a caretaker manager to see out the remainder of the season, with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer among the candidates under consideration.
Fletcher's Long-Term Ambition
Despite his lack of first-team managerial experience, Fletcher has openly harboured ambitions to manage Manchester United for years. In a 2019 appearance on the UTD Podcast, he stated: "When I take my first steps on the management ladder, the goal is to become Manchester United manager because that's the pinnacle for me. Nothing tops that, nothing's bigger."
Depending on results, the club could decide to keep Fletcher in post for longer, potentially including the high-profile Manchester derby later this month. He previously served as part of Solskjaer's coaching staff in 2021 and could retain a role under any new interim appointment.
Should United opt for a separate caretaker, the board plans to use the rest of the season to identify a permanent successor to Amorim. Managers whose contracts expire in June, such as Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and Marco Silva, are reportedly on a shortlist of potential candidates.
