Manager Darren Fletcher has been tipped to take charge of Manchester United’s Premier League game against Burnley on Wednesday night, with talks over his future role postponed until after the match. Fletcher took up the post of interim head coach on Monday, following the club’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim and his backroom team, and took over responsibility for training with immediate effect on the same day.
But negotiations over an extension to his interim appointment remain glacial until after the Turf Moor game. The Scottish midfielder confirmed the addition of Travis Binion, Alan Wright and former defender Jonny Evans to his coaching team, but revealed that the brief now only covers one game after discussions with director of football Jason Wilcox.
United have reportedly approached candidates for the interim manager’s position, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick being considered as possible replacements, but Fletcher’s interim tenure could stretch into Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Brighton.
“We’ve had conversations, but the focus is on this game and we’ll talk after the game,” he explained. “We have to prepare for the game, organize training sessions and talk to the players. Our focus is on the game against Burnley and we will speak after the game.”
Asked about his long-term ambitions for the role, Fletcher replied: “Honestly, it’s not something I thought about. That discussion was after the game. It all happened so quickly. All my focus and effort is on Burnley.”
Fletcher, who has donned a United shirt 342 times and has held various positions including first team coach, academy coach and technical director, has now been appointed as first team head coach.
The 41-year-old admitted his promotion had come under less than ideal circumstances, but confessed that becoming United manager was beyond his wildest dreams.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s a huge honor to be managing the Manchester United team,” he said. “I never dreamed that something like that would happen.
“It’s a great honor to lead the team and I’m really proud. It’s not the situation I expected and it won’t be easy for me, but I have a job to do so I’m going to think about the honor and the pride.”
