Fletcher focused on Manchester United’s FA Cup tie, not his future at Old Trafford

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher said he has not spoken to minority owner Jim Ratcliffe about his future as he prepares for what could be his final match against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup.

The former United midfielder, appointed following the sacking of Ruben Amorim this week, secured a 2-2 draw at Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Fletcher revealed his communications were limited to CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, who handed him the reins for two games.

«I haven’t (spoken to Ratcliffe), I’m speaking to Omar and Jason. For me, I’ve been focused on the job at hand, preparing the team for these two games. There have been no thoughts or conversations about my future,» Fletcher told reporters on Friday.

«They have given me full responsibility to take control of these two matches. Making my own decisions, leading the team, guiding the team and preparing the team, that’s what I did.»

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‘IMPORTANT COMPETITION’

With United not playing in Europe and being knocked out of the League Cup early this season, Fletcher sees the FA Cup as the last realistic chance of silverware in a competition they won in 2024 under Erik Ten Hag.

«It’s an important competition. Manchester United is about winning trophies and I think we’ve had a lot of success in the competition over the last few years,» he said.

«We won it a few years ago and lost in the final (in 2023). It’s a great competition, it’s the first trophy I’ve won as a player. It’s a special tournament. With the season so far, not in Europe, being outside the League Cup, the FA Cup is a trophy we have to compete for and give ourselves every chance to win.»

However, Fletcher will have no reinforcements for Sunday’s third round, with Noussair ‍Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo still absent from the Africa Cup of Nations.

«It’s too short a turnaround. So we’ll have the same players available as against Burnley, no new additions,» he said.

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‘GREAT ACADEMY’

The shortage of squad players has forced United to bench several academy players in recent matches, but Fletcher defended the club’s tradition of blooding young players despite their inexperience.

“I think historically this club has been built around the academy. We have a great academy, our record speaks for itself,” Fletcher said. “We have some great players with great talent. What I see is a lot of hard working, humble, young players who are not perfect because they are young and learning.

«We ask too much of young people in society, sometimes and in general. We need to let them learn, train them, help them understand that they will make mistakes. With good guidance, we all play a role in developing them into players and people of Manchester United.»

Fletcher said midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was “in a good place” and training well after struggling for game time under Amorim, while no decision has been made on defender Harry Maguire following his return from injury.

Published on January 10, 2026