UtdDistrict spoke to Manchester United Academy expert AcademyScoop following their U18s FA Youth Cup win over Derby County on Friday evening.
Darren Fletcher returned to his role as Under-18s head coach as Manchester United U18s faced Derby County in their first competitive match of 2026.
United dominated throughout but were forced into extra time, with Derby goalkeeper Cristiano Dzialuk producing a string of outstanding saves to keep the game level.
The breakthrough finally came in the 100th minute when James Overy’s cross was turned into his own net by Luca Crolla. Chido Obi doubled the lead soon after, capitalising on a loose ball and finishing calmly with a chip.
Derby pulled one back on the counter after Cameron Byrne-Hughes was caught out, but United always looked the stronger side. Despite the scoreline, Dzialuk’s performance was the main reason the contest remained close for so long.
How Fletcher benefited from United interim job
After spending two games with the first-team as interim head coach, Fletcher was back with his Under-18s squad after deciding to not take a role in Michael Carrick’s staff.
Even though it was a short-stint, Academy expert Fin Picknett, also known as AcademyScoop, has explained how Fletcher has benefited from that experience.
“I think that will definitely be his ambition, to eventually be working at a top club as a first-team head coach or manager,” Picknett told UtdDistrict of Fletcher.
“I think it was clear that he wasn’t quite ready for the United job, one of the most difficult jobs in football, he did his best as an interim but going back to the Under-18s, I’m sure he would have learned a lot of things.
“United are certainly lucky to have him for this season because when he came into the role, there was a lot of surprise within the club that he took that role.”
Fletcher eyeing FA Youth Cup success
Fletcher had the option to stay with United’s first-team squad under Carrick but he clearly wants to continue his personal development at the Under-18s level.
It was an understandable and smart decision from the ex-midfielder, who would have been the fourth or fifth coach within Carrick’s set-up.
Fletcher will instead be leading one of United’s most talented Under-18s groups in recent memory and helping them develop into better players.
He will also be eyeing the FA Youth Cup as an important competition. The Reds last won the trophy in 2022 when Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were part of the group.
Following on from their fourth-round victory against Derby, United’s youngsters will face Oxford United in the next stage of the competition.
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