Could a former Manchester United captain make a return to the dugout?
There are two ongoing situations for Ineos to sort out, after firing Ruben Amorim.
One is to find a permanent successor to take over, and for that they have a timeline that could be stretched out until the summer.
To get that time, Ineos need to ensure that the interim coaching staff is adequate to last until then.
Darren Fletcher has been promoted from under-18s coach to interim manager. He will be helped in the dugout this week by under-21 boss Travis Binnion.
Does he need more? Michael Carrick is already being linked with a role, and former United star Nicky Butt is proposing an extra helping hand.
Ruben Amorim’s BIGGEST MISTAKE at Manchester United was ________________
✍️ Fill in the blank…
Steve Bruce suggested by Nicky Butt
Nicky Butt believes that former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce could have a role to play.
Butt argues that Bruce’s vast managerial experience could be a real asset to Darren Fletcher, and believes that he could form a trio along with Carrick too.
Speaking to The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Butt explained his reasoning.
He explained: “Darren [Fletcher] with either Michael [Carrick] and [Steve] Bruce, and if Michael wouldn’t do it, then Darren and Bruce until the end of the season.
“Bruce has got unbelievable experience. Unbelievable. He is a great bloke, really. He knows the club.
“He’s got no aspirations of going back into football for [himself] so he’s not gonna go, ‘I’m in charge here, it’s my club’… He’s gonna help.”
Bruce has been out of football management since he was fired by Blackpool in October 2024. He last managed in the Premier League with Newcastle in 2021.
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Serious stakes for Manchester United
Manchester United have a lot at stake, currently battling to try and qualify for a Champions League place.
This means that Ineos have to throw everything at it, and that will mean giving Darren Fletcher all the support he requires.
Qualifying for the Champions League will have a huge financial benefit for United, after missing out on European football entirely this past season.
United are currently placed sixth in the league, with the top five places likely to achieve qualification this season.
But it could all fall apart horribly if results go awry, with Crystal Palace in 14th place just four points behind United.
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