“Wowed” – Erik ten Hag plans to fast-track Man United youngster after ‘watching closely for months’

Erik ten Hag has been ‘wowed’ by the performances of Manchester United youngster Jack Fletcher in recent months.

Son of Darren Fletcher – former United midfielder and current technical director at the club – Jack rejoined the Old Trafford club in the summer alongside twin brother Tyler.

The 16-year-old pair were at rivals Manchester City but made a joint move to United and have since been playing in the academy sides.

Although, Jack was present in Erik ten Hag’s training squad ahead of their away fixture against Galatasaray in the Champions League this week.

Information from The Sun states that after being ‘wowed’ by the teenager, Ten Hag is keen to ‘fast-track the progress of Fletcher.

One source said: “Erik ten Hag has been watching Jack closely for several months now and has been really impressed. He thinks he has huge potential which is why he decided to promote him to train with the first team last week. 

“Ten Hag is now working with his staff to put a plan in place to try and develop and fast-track Jack’s progress. 

“He is likely to go out on loan next season but Erik believes, in the long term, he has a massive future at United. He’s been wowed by his attitude, and his maturity and – thinks he is the latest in an exciting crop of talent to be coming through at United.”

Whilst he did not make the first-team travelling squad to Istanbul, Fletcher would’ve been happy with the chance to prove himself in training ahead of the game.

He instead played for the under-19s side that lost out to Galatasaray’s youth by one goal in dreadful weather conditions in the afternoon before United’s eventual 3-3 draw with the Turkish giants.

Alejandro Garnacho scored during the encounter and Kobbie Mainoo made a positive impact from the bench. The pair have each won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in the last two seasons.