Darren Fletcher has been handed the task of leading Manchester United out of their latest malaise and lift some of the gloom that has gathered over Old Trafford.
Following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, the former midfielder has stepped up from his role as Under-18s head coach to lead the side against Burnley tonight and possibly Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Brighton. He is set to be joined by former teammate Jonny Evans, who hung up his boots just eight months ago.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in talks with the club over an emotional return as caretaker boss but the Fletcher will be desperate to make an impression on the club’s hierarchy tonight.
The former Scotland international rejoined United in 2020, working in various roles including first-team coach and technical director.
Tonight will mark his first game in charge at senior level and if his success with the Under-18s this season is anything to go by, he will be ditching the 3-4-3 formation Amorim was so relentlessly devoted to.
Fletcher has utilised 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 systems with United’s young guns having tried to instill the attacking values that made Sir Alex Ferguson’s sides so successful.
‘The fast attacks, it’s proper United,’ Fletcher said in August. ‘I’ve been showing the old clips of Rooney, Ronaldo, Ji-sung Park… counter-attack goals. Giggs and Kalchekskis.
‘Trying to show a bit of that Man United DNA. If teams want to come and have a go at us and they want to try and press then we have got the ability to play around them. And if they want to play a high line we can be devastating.’
It has yielded some big wins this season, notably the 7-0 thrashing of Liverpool in November, but the success has been built on a solid and aggressive defence which boasts the meanest record in the league, conceding 11 in 14 games.
Fletcher will of course be without the trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui during his short spell in charge with the trio still competing at the Africa Cup of Nations.
United have been without Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in recent weeks but Fletcher could have his captain available again at Turf Moor. He revealed in Tuesday’s press conference Fernandes, along with Mason Mount, have been back in training with the pair pushing to be involved tonight.
Mainoo meanwhile also returned to training on Monday and is in contention to make the squad – and possibly start his first Premier League game of the season. Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt remain out.
Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!
As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.
Click here and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
Could Darren Fletcher start his sons tonight?
There have been a couple of other Fletchers knocking around the squad recently – Darren’s twin sons Jack and Tyler have both featured in the last two matchday squads.
Jack was handed his debut against Aston Villa before Christmas, thrown into tricky situations off the bench at half-time against Newcastle and again away to Leeds on Sunday.
But Fletcher Snr has also relied on another young midfielder this season with Jim Thwaites at the heart of his Under-18s success. But having just turned 18 and having not been part of the senior squad to date, he may have to wait for his chance.
Man Utd XI to face Burnley – Metro prediction
Fletcher will be determined to leave his print on the team in the short time he has in the dugout.
A formation switch will surely be on the cards and we could even see Fernandes restored to a more advanced role.
Dorgu proved he can be a valuable outlet on the right when called upon and with little in the way of a natural wide option to stretch the Clarets’ defence, he may be utilised in that role again.
Shea Lacey has been among the substitutes since December, making his debut off the bench against Aston Villa. Should things go according to plan tonight, he could be handed more minutes off the bench.
Burnley vs Man Utd TV channel, live stream and kick-off time
Burnley vs Man Utd kicks off tonight (Wednesday 7 January) at 8:15pm.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
