Jack Fletcher is playing for Manchester United, and there are minor grumblings about his performances. It feels like history is repeating itself.
There are young Manchester United supporters who will not even remember seeing Darren Fletcher play. And that makes me feel incredibly old.
For those of us who did witness Darren Fletcher’s career journey, what is happening to his son Jack Fletcher feels remarkably familiar.
What has impressed you about Jack Fletcher since he made his debut?
Where does he need to improve? How can Ruben Amorim help him?
Darren Fletcher’s struggles
Darren Fletcher made his Manchester United debut in 2003, and he was picked in almost impossible circumstances.
Fletcher was selected for a Champions League fixture against Deportivo on the right-side of midfield, instead of David Beckham.
Thrown into the spotlight, Fletcher put in a tidy but tepid performance, before Beckham replaced him in the second half.
To supporters it was unclear what all the fuss was about, and Fletcher struggled to win over fans, especially against the Beckham backdrop.
Over the next 12 months that followed, Fletcher was referred to by some fans as ‘Fergie’s lovechild’, amid scepticism he was selected by Sir Alex Ferguson only because he was Scottish.
Fletcher admitted in a later interview with The MEN three years later: “He gets called my dad, my granddad, you name it. I get it all the time and I’m sure people think that’s why I’m in the team.
“I’ve been there since I was 12 and maybe he took a special interest because I was Scottish. But I know when I signed it didn’t matter if you were Scottish, Norwegian or whatever. If you are not good enough, you won’t get in the team.
“I get a lot of people saying I’m only picked because I’m Scottish and that’s fine. It’s water off a duck’s back. People will say what they want, there is nothing you can do about that.”
Fletcher’s attitude demonstrated the mindset that turned him into a winner, and he needed it, after being publicly called out by Roy Keane during his infamous 2005 MUTV interview.
“I can’t understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher,” Keane blasted.
The complaints echoed a frustration about Fletcher’s game. That he was too safe and played sideways passes. That he lacked the x-factor of previous academy graduates like the Class of 92.
Fletcher was trying to carve out his role in the team, which was mis-labelled on his debut. He was not a right-sided midfielder, but instead he established himself as a tenacious defensive midfielder.
But to his immense credit, Fletcher turned perceptions around, and went on to become a key cog in Sir Alex Ferguson’s next generation of success.
One moment in 2005 began to prove his value, when he scored a winner in a 1-0 home victory over Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at Old Trafford. This star-making goal came two weeks after Keane’s outburst and subsequent exit.
Fletcher played 342 games for Manchester United in total, playing a role in five Premier League title wins, and in the eyes of many fans, his unfair suspension was a reason the team failed to win the Champions League in 2009.
The real reason why Ruben Amorim subbed off Man Utd striker Joshua Zirkzee against Wolves… 🤔👀
Did Ruben Amorim make a major mistake taking Joshua Zirkzee off? 😩 Should Benjamin Sesko come off instead of Zirkzee? Let us know YOUR verdict! ✍️
Jack Fletcher’s challenges
Young Jack Fletcher faces a familiar problem after making his own debut under Ruben Amorim.
The jibes on social media follow the complaints on forums at the time about Darren Fletcher, arguing about his inclusion.
The nonsensical complaint is that Jack Fletcher is being selected out of nepotism, with his dad now the club’s under-18s coach after a spell as technical director.
Just like the jibes his father faced more than 20 years ago, they could not be further from the truth.
Jack Fletcher has been one of the best players in Manchester United’s academy teams since he joined the club two years ago, racking up more than 50 appearances.
United fans have been spoiled by magical moments like Federico Macheda’s dream debut, and the reality is that for academy players, debuts more frequently resemble Darren Fletcher’s game against Deportivo.
Jack Fletcher has now played 117 minutes of first team football for United. In the 45 minutes against Wolves he had one shot at goal and created one chance, but appeared to lack the confidence he plays with at academy level.
Complaints about Fletcher’s fit in Amorim’s tactical set up may be valid, while supporters bristled at him passing the ball backwards.
Not wanting to lose possession is natural for a young player, and Fletcher still seems to be playing within himself.
He has the perfect mentor in dad Darren Fletcher, who has been through it all.
If Jack has the mental strength of his dad, he will be just fine.
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