Darren Fletcher will be in the dugout when Manchester United kick off their FA Cup campaign against Brighton on Sunday.
Only Arsenal have won the FA Cup more times (14) than Manchester United (13).
United last won the FA Cup in 2024, in the months that led to Erik ten Hag’s sacking as manager.
A 2-1 win over Man City saw Ten Hag lift his second trophy as United manager, after winning the Carabao Cup during his first season at Old Trafford.
After enduring a topsy-turvy season to date, United fans will stress that a good run in the FA Cup would help lift the mood at the football club. They would also argue that fixing the team’s league form should be high on the agenda.
WILL Manchester United beat Brighton in the FA Cup on Sunday?
What will be the score at Old Trafford?🤔
Darren Fletcher took charge of his first game on Wednesday night when United drew 2-2 with Burnley.
Now, the caretaker head coach is looking for his first win by knocking Brighton out of the FA Cup third round.
Darren Fletcher stresses importance of FA Cup for Man Utd
One of the biggest blows suffered this season was getting knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
It came with a shock result, too, as Grimsby Town beat United on penalties.
United want to avoid another early elimination from a domestic cup competition, with Fletcher stressing that he wants his players to try and win the competition.
“It’s an important competition and Manchester United are about winning trophies,” Fletcher told reporters at his press conference on Friday evening.
“We’ve had good success in recent years; we won it a couple of years ago and lost in the final.
“It’s an amazing competition, the first trophy I won as a player, it is a special tournament. Not in Europe, out of the League Cup, there is the Premier League obviously, but the FA Cup.
“It’s a trophy we should be trying to win and be giving ourselves every opportunity to win.”
Fletcher can contribute positively to United’s season by ensuring the Red Devils book a place in the FA Cup fourth round.
When did Darren Fletcher win the FA Cup?
Fletcher won the FA Cup once as a player.
After beating Millwall 3-0 in 2004, United won the FA Cup to avoid ending the season without a trophy.
Fletcher started in midfield alongside Roy Keane and played 84 minutes before being substituted.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a brace, and Cristiano Ronaldo got on the scoresheet to guide United to glory.
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