Sir Alex Ferguson predicted that Darren Fletcher would one day become a coach, but he now takes charge of the Manchester United first team for the upcoming matches.
It has been a long time since Darren Fletcher was considered a ‘big-game player’ under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
After joining United’s academy at the age of 11, Fletcher eventually graduated and became an important player renowned for his work rate in the middle of the pitch.
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Fletcher won many trophies during his time at United, including six Premier League titles, one Champions League title, one FA Cup title, one League Cup title, and one FIFA Club World Cup title.
After retiring from football in 2019, Fletcher returned to United in a coaching capacity and has been managing United’s U18s this season.
Fletcher will now become the interim manager of the first team for the foreseeable future, with Ruben Amorim having been sent his marching orders on Monday morning.
Sir Alex Ferguson made remarkable Darren Fletcher prediction
Fletcher is one of the finest examples to come from the United Academy.
His ability as a midfielder was never in doubt, but his attitude towards the game and professionalism often set him apart from the rest.
Ferguson didn’t show favouritism towards Fletcher because he was a fellow Scot. He knew from an early age that the midfielder possessed something special, whether it was as a player or a coach.
An old interview from Ferguson’s time at United has emerged, thanks to Cantona’s Collar on X, with the legendary manager giving his blessing to Fletcher’s prospects as a coach.
Ferguson explains that he got Fletcher working closely with former United coach Warren Joyce due to fears he had that he wouldn’t make it as a footballer.
“I’m starting to think maybe he’s not going to make it,” Ferguson said.
“I started preparing him along the lines that he could become a coach with us because that was, without question, my long-term view of it.
“They were losing 1-0 at Altringham, so I went into the dressing room at half-time because I wasn’t particularly pleased. Darren was doing the motivation, tactics, and Warren had given him that head to do that. It was fantastic.
“I’ll always remember he says ‘if you’re playing for Manchester United, there’s an expectation son that you’re not showing out there. If you can’t do it in a Reserve game you’ve absolutely no chance of playing for Alex Ferguson.” I’ll always remember him saying that.
“He didn’t see me and I was standing at the door. I should have given him a rise.”
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Fletcher was still playing at the time of the interview, but he will now be preparing to sit in the hot seat at United as a coach.
In the same interview, Ferguson was asked if he thought Fletcher would later become a coach.
“Absolute certainty,” Ferguson said when asked if he thought Ferguson would go on to become a coach after hanging up his boots.
“I think his long-term position will be as a coach. Maybe even management. He’s got the presence, he’s got the sacrifice.
“When you become a manager, Martin [journalist], it’s a sacrifice. You give up your family life, which I did. I scouted my own players, I went to games every week – midweek and everywhere.
“That’s the kind of sacrifice and you need to have the type of wife who understands that.
The former Scotland international will get the full backing of United fans for however long he is in charge of the team.
Darren Fletcher career stats
Fletcher played for two more clubs after leaving United in 2015.
The 41-year-old spent two years at West Brom before retiring at Stoke City.
Some of Fletcher’s proudest records include making 342 appearances for United, scoring 24 goals and registering 31 assists.
Fletcher also made 97 appearances for West Brom, on top of 42 at Stoke City in the latter years of his playing career.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/OTEuhdp