The (potentially short) new era is here at Manchester United, and Darren Fletcher is tasked with the man leading it, but there’s something he’s not entirely comfortable with.
Darren Fletcher has become the interim manager of Man Utd after Ruben Amorim’s sacking as the club tries to go back to its roots.
His first test will be an away game against Burnley, and Fletcher’s style of play and tactics have already generated plenty of discussion.
While that will be on display against Burnley, there’s already something he’s not entirely comfortable with about his current Man Utd role.
What are your hopes and expectations with Darren Fletcher in charge at Man Utd?
Darren Fletcher replaces Ruben Amorim as interim boss
Darren Fletcher makes honest Man Utd admission
It goes without saying that for Fletcher, as with most ex-players who have gone into management, he’s just been given the dream job.
Fletcher expressed that ‘amazing honour’ immediately in his first press conference, calling it a ‘surreal feeling’ to be able to lead Man Utd.
Even though it is likely to be a short-term arrangement, the experience will be unforgettable, but it doesn’t mean everything is rosy.
In fact, Fletcher accepted with honesty that he is grateful for the job, but he would have liked it to happen in different circumstances.
He said: “It’s surreal. It’s an amazing honour to be able to lead a Man Utd team. I don’t think in my wildest dreams this is something that could have potentially happened. It’s something I’m really proud to do.
“Not in the circumstances I expected it to happen.
“That’s something that doesn’t quite sit easy with me, but I’ve got a job to do.”
Fletcher is a model professional, so effectively being handed this job due to a sheer emergency, which is making people question his hard work and credentials, is a legitimate concern for him.
Name the player you are most excited to see play under Darren Fletcher in his opening game in charge….
Fletcher can silence his doubters
As it stands, it looks like Fletcher won’t get more than a game or two before Ineos appoint a caretaker manager until the end of the season.
However, as Ruud van Nistelrooy witnessed, just refreshing the mood of the club and getting things back on track is enough to skyrocket your reputation.
Fletcher has two eminently winnable games in front of him against Burnley and then Brighton at Old Trafford, which will be rocking for its first game after Amorim.
If he manages to win both, which was no longer a guarantee under Amorim, then he will silence his doubters a lot.
The circumstances are not ideal for anyone, but looking forward and trying to make the best of this situation is the right way to go about it.
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