Darren Fletcher took charge against Burnley as Man Utd caretaker and will oversee the Brighton clash on Sunday.
Darren Fletcher refused to be drawn into whether he is the obvious choice to manage Manchester United on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. Fletcher has assumed caretaker duties following Ruben Amorim’s sacking and oversaw the Burnley game on Wednesday night.
Fletcher spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of facing Brighton in the FA Cup third round, which could be his final game in charge before an interim appointment is made. United have held discussions with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick this week over the vacancy. The Norwegian was sacked by Besiktas in August, and Carrick was axed by Middlesbrough in June.
Fletcher was asked whether he was surprised that he wasn’t the obvious job to manage for the remainder of the season. “No, I was surprised I got offered for the two games because I wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “I don’t think like that. I think about the job that I’ve got in hand. I really do, and so it wasn’t something that was on my radar at all, but when I do get asked to do it, I know that I can do it.
“I know that I’m comfortable doing it. I know the environment, I believe in myself. I feel like I’ve learned a lot in the five years that I’ve been here. I’ve had great experiences as a player. I’ve taken my time to develop and learn as a coach and other parts of things off the field, which I’m glad I’ve done because I think it’s put me in a great position now, or a better position now than it would have been five years ago.
“So I’ve had five years of learning under good coaches and good people. As I said, I feel like I’ve developed a rounded approach to the game and football and (am) comfortable in a lot of different situations, academy, technical or obviously coaching and leading.”
When it was put to Fletcher that he seems like the obvious candidate to lead the team on an interim basis, he responded: “Maybe, yeah. I appreciate you saying that and but honestly, it’s two games. I’m the obvious choice for these two games. Thankfully, an amazing opportunity, but that’s all my focus and energy is going on just now anything beyond that is out of my control.”
Discussing how he has found the experience, he added: “I’ve always been quite relaxed about my future. I’ve enjoyed it. I really have. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of it and and it’s amazing. I’ve tried to relish it.
“I’ve tried to go with my instincts as I said, I think I’m quite well prepared. And. I’ve always tried to prepare myself to be a manager in the future was something I always thought that I would maybe be quite good at or something that I’d enjoy doing, or enjoy the challenge of.
“But at the same time, I wanted to be really careful and make sure I was ready for the moment, but it’s not something I’m saying I’m desperate to do. I think circumstances in life dictate that, where you’re at yourself personally. Health, family, lots of different factors dictate that.
“And I’ve got two young boys at the start of their football career. I’ve got another set of young twin girls which takes up a lot of my time. So those things are on my mind. I’ve experienced how intense it has been a manager for less than a week.
“So yeah, there’s not much time for much outside the family life and things outside the football. I want to prepare myself to be a manager and that opportunity might come for me one day.
“I know I’ll be ready to do it. But if it doesn’t (materialise), I’ll be more than comfortable with that, and if it remains staying as the under 18’s coach, I’m really happy, I enjoy doing that, and I’m going to help develop players for Manchester United.”
When Solskjaer was appointed as interim United boss in 2018, Fletcher made an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live and said: “United should never be in this position. They’re almost writing the season off.”
When asked whether his stance had changed, Fletcher smiled and responded: “Good research, that. I was young and naive when I said that, wasn’t I? And no, that was my feeling at the time, and I was speaking in context of probably being out of the game and not involved in it from the inside.
“I think the most important thing for me is it’s not my decision, and ultimately, the club need to do what they think’s best, the people in the higher up in the roles in the club.
“They need to do what they think is best. They need to know what their plan is going forward for the success of Manchester United. And I’m sure they’ll do that. I think that they’ll be strong enough to think to to do.
“To accept and to deal with that pressure and to make the right decision for what’s best for them and for what Manchester United is just now.”
