Manchester United have confirmed that Darren Fletcher will return to his role as Under-18s lead coach following the arrival of Michael Carrick.
Fletcher has taken caretaker charge of the United senior team since the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week, overseeing two matches - the 2-2 draw at Burnley in the Premier League and Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup.
The former Scotland midfielder was reportedly offered a position as part of the senior setup under Carrick, who on Tuesday evening was confirmed as United’s new head coach until the end of the season after seeing off competition from fellow Old Trafford legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, he was said to have rejected it in order to continue his development as U18s lead coach, a role he took on last summer having previously served as U16s coach, first-team coach and technical director at United since ending a playing career that saw him make more than 340 appearances for the club across a 13-year spell that followed his graduation from the academy, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League alongside Carrick under Sir Alex Ferguson.
In their official statement to announce Carrick’s return, United thanked Fletcher - whose twin teenage sons Jack and Tyler are currently part of the first-team squad at Old Trafford - for stepping up following Amorim’s exit and confirmed that he would be remaining in his current role.
“The club would like to place on record its gratitude to Darren Fletcher for his leadership during the last week,” United said.
“Fletcher will remain as lead coach of the Under-18s, playing a vital role in developing players ready to perform in a winning Manchester United first team.”
Carrick will instead be joined on United’s new coaching staff by former England and Chelsea assistant Steve Holland, plus ex-Middlesbrough first-team coach Jonathan Woodgate.
Also forming part of his backroom team are ex-United team-mate Jonny Evans and U21s lead coach Travis Binnion, plus goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson.
