Following a two-match spell in charge of the first team, Darren Fletcher returned to coach the U-18s, reflecting on his role as head coach of the next crop of Manchester United talent.
After calling an end to his career in 2019, Darren Fletcher returned to Manchester United, where he spent 13 years as a player, in a coaching role in 2020, where he coached the Under-16s.
After half a season in charge of the Under-16s, he was promoted to the senior side in January before becoming the Technical Director just two months later. Despite this being an off-pitch role, the Scotsman continued to help in training under the likes of Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
After INEOS took over, the 42-year-old was removed from his Technical Director position in April 2024. In July 2025, Fletcher was appointed as the head coach of the Under-18s side, taking over from the previous head coach, Adam Lawrence.
Following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal at the beginning of 2026, the former United midfielder was named as the caretaker head coach, drawing one game against Burnley, and crashing out of the FA Cup through a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before Michael Carrick was announced as the interim until the end of the season. As a result, Fletcher resumed his position with the Under-18 side.
Darren Fletcher’s impact as Under-18s head coach
Manchester United’s U-18s side find themselves in second in the U18 Premier League, four points behind rivals Man City in first, conceding just 15 goals in the process, the least of any side in the league.
Fletcher’s side currently has a wealth of prospects coming through, including the likes of JJ Gabriel, Jim Thwaites and Godwill Kukonki.
There is no doubt that Fletcher’s influence has improved these players’ performances, owing to the Scotsman’s ability to hone his ideas and managerial ethos, with his main focus being player development.
Speaking for the first time after being named the head coach of the U-18s side, Fletcher spoke about his ideas for the side and how the players have responded to what he has implemented on the team
As reported by the Daily Mail, he said, “I’m really excited to be on the grass every day, working with the team, implementing Manchester United’s style, club ideas alongside some of my own ideas, and it’s been really enjoyable.
“And the most pleasing thing has been the players’ application and buy-in into i,t and I’m really enjoying seeing them play the United way.”
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Fletcher on tempering expectations towards academy products
Fletcher is aiming to win a 12th FA Youth Cup for United, securing a 4-1 win over Oxford United to get them into the quarter-finals of the competition, as the record winners of the competition look to add one more trophy to the collection.
It is natural that when an academy prospect starts to perform, the fanbase begins to hype them up, sometimes to an unfair level. Fletcher has spoken previously about this, saying, “We have to recognise their age as well.”
“We don’t want them to grow up too quickly. Let them just develop. It’s difficult when they’re on TV, but that’s part of the game and the modern world.
“We don’t want to hold anybody back. If you’re performing, you’re going to get rewards for it.”
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