Man Utd icon Darren Fletcher in talks over new role after Ruben Amorim request

Manchester United icon Darren Fletcher is set to take his first steps into management by becoming the club’s under-18s lead coach. The former midfielder has held various roles at Old Trafford since 2020.

Having taken the reins within the club’s youth ranks, he was promoted to the first-team by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Fletcher was named as technical director in 2021 and then returned to his coaching role under Erik ten Hag.

He was then retained by Ruben Amorim as he replaced the Dutchman. But Fletcher has now seen his role changed once more. The Athletic report that he has been offered the role of the lead coach of the under-18s by director of football Jason Wilcox and outgoing director of academy Nick Cox as a replacement for Adam Lawrence.

Fletcher was given the option of staying on as a member of Amorim’s staff but is expected to accept the move and launch his managerial career. Having achieved his UEFA A Licence, Fletcher would lead United’s under-18 side in the FA Youth Cup.

First team star Manuel Ugarte was previously full of praise for Fletcher for helping him understand the demands of being a Man United player. Speaking earlier this season, he said: “We all know what it means to be United, with the history we have.

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“The history, the fans, the mystique. I understand this responsibility and that starts with the day-to-day, being 100 per cent focused on the football and ready to win trophies.

“United matches are always on in Uruguay so we all know the history they have. When you come here, and you are with people who are part of the history, for example, [Darren] Fletcher — they transmit what it means to be United.”

Fletcher will follow in the footsteps of a number of former teammates including Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley in cutting his managerial teeth. Fletcher’s move is the latest reshuffle of the coaching team at Old Trafford. Ruud van Nistelrooy - who has recently been sacked by Leicester - Rene Hake, Jelle ten Rouwelaar and Pieter Morel all left following Amorim’s arrival.

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The Portuguese has also made a request to United chiefs to bring in Acacio Valentim, his former Braga colleague. Set piece coach Andreas Georgson was initially retained but departed in May of this year, with a number of prominent backroom figures also leaving Old Trafford.

There have also been major alterations in the boardroom. Dan Ashworth departed in December after just five months in the role. United had long pursued him, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe spearheading the move to bring him in from Newcastle.

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