Man United caretaker boss Darren Fletcher has selected his first Manchester United line-up for their game at Burnley on Wednesday evening.
Fletcher has stepped in after Ruben Amorim was sacked by the Red Devils on Monday morning.
The Portuguese coach’s departure followed multiple disagreements with the club’s hierarchy and he was summoned to United’s Carrington training base to learn his fate.
Fletcher, who is United’s Under 18 coach, was immediately installed as caretaker manager, with the Red Devils set to name an interim boss until the end of the season.
Fletcher’s former team-mate Michael Carrick, who took temporary charge for three games in 2021, and ex-United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are believed to be the two main contenders for that role.
And Fletcher, who dressed smart for the occasion, made his mark as he picked his team for the clash at Turf Moor.
Man United interim boss Darren Fletcher has selected his first Manchester United line-up
Fletcher pictured arriving with the United squad at Turf Moor ahead of the clash with Burnley
And the former midfielder received a huge boost as Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting line-up after injury.
Fernandes’ recovery is incredible given it is just over two weeks since he was forced off during the 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa before Christmas with a hamstring injury.
That was the only change, with the United captain replacing defender Leny Yoro.
Fletcher did receive more welcome news elsewhere, with Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount all fit enough for the bench having also missed games in recent weeks through injury.
That meant there was no place in the matchday squad for Tyler Fredricson, Godwill Kukonki, Bendito Mantato or Tyler Fletcher, son of Darren, although his other son Jack did make the bench again.
A victory for United could propel them into the top four depending on results elsewhere, while Burnley are desperately in need of a win with Scott Parker’s side nine points adrift of safety.
Speaking on Tuesday, Fletcher revealed to reporters that he phoned legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to get his ‘blessing’ to become the club’s caretaker manager before he accepted the temporary role.
He said: ‘I don’t like to make any major decisions or things without speaking to Sir Alex, and that’s something I’ve done since I’ve been at the club, and since I’ve left the club, and everything I do.
‘I’ve got a really good relationship with Sir Alex, so he’s probably the first person on the phone actually. I wanted to speak to him first, and ultimately to get his blessing to be perfectly honest with you.
‘I think he deserves that respect. I wanted to run it by him to find out what he thought. He was supportive of it, and he echoed my thoughts which I’ve always said: it’s your job to do the best for Manchester United when you’re an employee of the club.
‘It’s amazing when he says something that I try and live and believe every day, so it was comforting for me for him to say that.’
