Darren Fletcher has opened up on a conversation he had with Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Brighton in the FA Cup third round.
Manchester United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Sunday.
It will be Darren Fletcher’s second game in charge of the team following the decision to sack Ruben Amorim on Monday.
United drew 2-2 with Burnley during the week as they slipped to seventh in the Premier League.
After being eliminated from the Carabao Cup second round, losing on penalties against Grimsby Town, the Red Devils will be aiming to avoid another early upset in a domestic cup.
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Fletcher stressed the importance of the FA Cup in his pre-match press conference. He even set an objective to win the competition, even though he is expected to be replaced by another interim head coach in the near future.
The former United midfielder touched on several topics during his latest press briefing, including his relationship with Kobbie Mainoo.
Darren Fletcher provides update on Kobbie Mainoo’s mindset
It is no secret that Mainoo has struggled this season.
The 20-year-old, who was a key player under Erik ten Hag, fell down the pecking order after Amorim became head coach.
Mainoo has made just 13 appearances for United this season, and he has yet to start in the Premier League.
When asked whether he has spoken to Mainoo since becoming United head coach, Fletcher gave some insight into the young midfielder’s mindset after returning from injury.
“He seems in a good place,” Fletcher said.
“Kobbie doesn’t give you much, so you wouldn’t know if he was in a good place or not. He’s like that, it’s just his natural way.
“I know him well, and I have known him for a long time. I’ve seen him around the building and had conversations with him.
“He’s in a good place, but I know Kobbie, and he knows me and Travis Binnion, and he’s comfortable with this environment. He is in a good place, he’s trained well and as I say he is hard to read, so that remains to be seen.”
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Mainoo will now feel as though he has a better chance of getting back into the team because it was clear that Amorim didn’t trust him enough to start him in games.
Fletcher’s comments should give Mainoo a boost in confidence.
Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible FA Cup record
Mainoo may be 20 years old, but the United academy graduate became an FA Cup winner in 2024 after scoring in the final against Man City.
However, since breaking into the first team, Mainoo has played nine games in the FA Cup.
United won all nine of those matches, which means Mainoo will be trying to protect his unbeaten FA Cup record on Sunday.
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