Darren Fletcher: Man United coach rejects role under Michael Carrick

Darren Fletcher has turned down a role as part of Michael Carrick’s coaching staff – but the 41-year-old Scot will not be leaving Manchester United , according to a new report.

Carrick, 44, emerged as the frontrunner to become the club’s caretaker until the end of the season over the weekend.

Initially, it was understood Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was INEOS’s favoured choice, but a “strong interview” from the former midfielder swung the race in his favour, with Sir Alex Ferguson even supporting Carrick over the ‘Baby Faced Assassin’.

There were concerns over Solskjaer’s hands-off approach on the training pitch, with the Norwegian having delegated responsibility at Carrington to Carrick and Kieran McKenna, now in charge of Ipswich Town, during his reign at Old Trafford.

United’s rulers preferred a coach, as opposed to a manager, to take over from Ruben Amorim , with this point of distinction having caused the fracture which led to the Portuguese’s dismissal last week.

This morning, Athletic reporter David Ornstein confirmed Carrick had accepted the role, completing a return to the club he left in 2021 to manage Middlesbrough, as explained in greater detail here .

Ex-England and Chelsea coach Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate, a former colleague at the Riverside Stadium, will join as Carrick’s assistants , alongside under-21s boss Travis Binnion and the recently returned Jonny Evans.

And Laurie Whitwell reveals Fletcher was offered the chance to be part of this group, but turned it down in favour of a return to his previous role at the club.

https://twitter.com/lauriewhitwell/status/2011020636659802180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Tweet: “Michael Carrick is at Carrington to finalise deal. Steve Holland set to be part of staff, with Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans + Travis Binnion. After @SamiMokbel_BBC. Darren Fletcher was offered role but wants to continue leading U18s.”

Fletcher had left his current post as under-18s coach to step up and take charge of the senior side in the wake of Amorim’s departure. While the results against Burnley and Brighton were far from impressive, the Scot’s impression remains unblemished, as a well-placed source revealed last week.

“I have genuine faith as him as a manager,” the United insider told The Athletic . “He has been incredibly supportive of every manager and coach. He’s extremely skilled and professional, energetic, enthusiastic and giving. He has always been studious and wanted to become better.

“I realise I might sound like his spin doctor here, but I mean every word. Darren had an excellent balance between the human side and the coaching side with very good relationships with everyone inside the club — football and non-football.

“He always puts the club before himself and taking the under-18s job was evidence of that. He felt he could help the club and make the biggest impact there. Why? Because he cares about the club. There’s nobody better to take on the club in an interim period. He’ll deliver progressive, proactive football — and proactive is the key word.

“He believes that Man United teams should dominate matches through being the aggressor, being the protagonist. It’s about giving the players conditions to express themselves and their strengths, which creates a confidence and a positivity.”

Fletcher is evidently highly rated at Old Trafford, and the under-18s will become a better side by virtue of his experience leading the senior side last week.

Football is about learning curves, and there are few steeper ones than managing the Red Devils.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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