FORMER Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been confirmed as the new lead coach of the club’s Under 18s.
The ex-Scotland international has been back working at Old Trafford for the last four years and most recently served as technical director.
Manchester United first-team coach Darren Fletcher has become the new boss of the club’s U18 side[/caption]
Fletcher played over 340 games for Man Utd between 2001 and 2015[/caption]
Fletcher has considered roles within the academy before but was reluctant to accept while his sons Jack and Tyler were coming through the ranks.
The 41-year-old is keen to become a first team coach in future and believes this move is a step towards his aim.
Fletcher said: “I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players.
“I’m looking forward to working with such a talented age-group, supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.”
Director of football Jason Wilcox approached Fletcher about the move earlier in the summer and is pleased he has chosen to accept it.
He said: “Darren’s excellent relationships across the entire staff will only increase the strong connection between the academy and first team – enhancing our ability to produce world class players ready to excel here.”
Fletcher is more than familiar with the Utd youth set up having emerged from the academy himself as a boy – while his sons Jack and Tyler have also spent time in their system[/caption]
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho trained together at Carrington last week – despite being banished by Ruben Amorim.
The pair and three other team-mates have been given extra time off this summer to sort out moves away from Manchester United.
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However the club made it clear that any of the quintet – which also includes Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia – are welcome to use their facilities.
And on Thursday last week, Rashford and Garnacho linked up to go through their paces after Amorim and his squad had gone home.
The only footballers who were present at the club’s headquarters at the time were the Red Devils Under 10s team.
The duo share a close bond – which was demonstrated earlier this summer when Garnacho wore an Aston Villa shirt with Rashford’s name on the back during his vacation.
That was a gift from the England forward who spent the final few months of last season on loan at Villa Park.
Both are expected to leave Old Trafford in the coming weeks with Rashford hoping Barcelona will firm up their interest in him.
Meanwhile Garnacho has turned down a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia where he could have linked up with his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.
A move to Chelsea – which was first on the cards in January – has also been discussed again this summer but United were not interested in a swap involving Christopher Nkunku.
