Man Utd left raging at Amorim’s treatment of two 18 year-old academy stars
Darren Fletcher will finally get the chance to scratch the itch of management as he prepares to lead Manchester United as caretaker boss, and one of his first tasks will be reparing the academy he graduated from.
Fletcher set to lead United at Burnley
Ruben Amorim’s sacking as Old Trafford boss after 14 months has seen the 41-year-old former midfielder parachuted into the hotseat for Wednesday’s Premier League trip to struggling Burnley.
It is the latest chapter in Fletcher’s long association with United, whose sons Jack and Tyler have been on the bench in recent matches with the former making three substitute appearances.
Returning players may restrict opportunities under their father – who made 342 appearances for the Red Devils, winning trophies aplenty, before returning in 2020 to work within the academy as he “really got the bug” for coaching.
Speaking to the Press Association in August 2020, Fletcher said: “I’ve always wanted to stay in football. I’ve always had that goal and ambition.
“Management is something that does really, really interest me in the future. Not that I want to think about doing it (right now).
“I think the itch will need to be itched at some point, if you know what I mean, if the opportunity arises.
“But for me just now it’s about taking some time from not being a player and getting myself mentally prepared for my next whatever it is, my next challenge in life, in football.”
Man Utd identify "top target" to replace Ruben Amorim; INEOS love him
INEOS have brought an end to Amorim’s tenure.
ByTom Cunningham INEOS angered by Amorim's treatment of two academy stars
While results on the pitch and his public barrage against the club’s leadership and recruitment staff were the nails in the Amorim coffin, Samuel Luckhurst reveals the club were also angered by his treatment of 18 year-olds Harry Amass and Chido Obi.
Amass is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, where the midfielder has started 21 Championship games, but Amorim claimed he was “struggling” at Hillsborough.
Obi meanwhile has not made the same impact as Ayden Heaven after the pair moved from Arsenal, and the manager highlighted his lack of regular playing time for the Under-21s, which was not received well behind the scenes.
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The ownership also took issue with his public criticism of the now very in form Patrick Dorgu, who initially struggled to settle at United after his move from Italy.
Man Utd’s next manager
Odds
Xavi Hernandez
12/1
Gareth Southgate
10/1
Darren Fletcher
5/1
Oliver Glasner
5/1
Enzo Maresca
7/2
It is clear that Fletcher’s connection to the academy – both through his own career and his two sons – could help reinstil the famous pipeline that so many United greats have followed.