Darren Fletcher appointed Manchester United first-team coach

[ASFN Admin]

Darren Fletcher has joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff at Manchester United. The former United and Scotland midfielder has been appointed as a first-team coach after several months working with the club’s Under-16s. Fletcher is highly regarded by Solskjaer and becomes the latest United old boy to join the coaching set-up at Old Trafford. The 36-year-old made 342 appearances for United over a 12-year spell in the first team but spent 20 years in total with the club as a player following his rise through the academy and Solskjaer believes the Scot will be a valuable addition to his staff as they chase a first title for eight years. “Darren has the United DNA running through his veins and he knows exactly what it takes to be a Manchester United player,” the United manager said. “He is at the start of his coaching career and his experience both on and off the pitch along with his winning mentality, commitment and hard work will be a great addition to the staff.” Fletcher - who won five league titles and the Champions League with United - had retained close ties with the club after leaving in 2015 and had been doing some informal consultancy work before starting a coaching role with the Under-16s in October. He joins fellow former United midfielders Mike Phelan and Michael Carrick on Solskjaer’s backroom staff, in addition to Kieran McKenna, Richard Hartis and Martyn Pert. Mark Dempsey has stepped away from first-team duties to focus on working with the academy.

Continue reading...