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Darren Fletcher has confirmed that he will stay in charge of Manchester United for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford.
Fletcher was installed as caretaker boss for United’s 2-2 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday night, and it was uncertain whether he would remain in the dugout for a second game as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick fight it out for the job of interim boss.
It is understood that Carrick is prepared to be Solskjaer’s No2 if he is unsuccessful.
Under-18s coach Fletcher revealed that he has been asked to stay on for the Brighton game by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
‘They’ve informed me they’d like to take the team for Sunday,’ said Fletcher. ‘There was a feeling that might have been the case from Monday, but we wanted to focus on Burnley. But, yeah, I’m tasked with leading the team on Sunday, so all my focus and energy goes to that now.’
Fletcher was satisfied with United’s performance against Burnley, but thought they had done enough to win the game after creating a string of chances and having a goal by Lisandro Martinez ruled out.
‘We put in a performance that should win the match,’ he said. ‘We created a lot of chances, had 30 shots, goal-line clearances, disallowed goal – I’m not sure why – and if you look at that in those terms, we should win the match.
‘It wasn’t perfect. We started slow and scored two fantastic goals. There’s still lots to work on, but I was really pleased with their efforts.
Benjamin Sesko fires home his first goal to equalise for United at Turf Moor
‘It was up to them to be proactive and exciting, and they did that. The rest of the game is pretty much total domination.’
Benjamin Sesko doubled his total for the season with two second-half goals and Fletcher revealed that he spoke to United’s struggling £73.7million striker at Carrington on Tuesday to try to give him some self-belief.
‘I sat down with him yesterday and showed him videos of his movement and how opportunities are going to come; keep believing and making runs,’ added Fletcher.
‘Hopefully they start flooding in from now. I thought he was fantastic tonight. He maybe could have gone on and got a hat-trick, but it was a real positive night for him.’
Having switched from Ruben Amorim’s back-five to a back-four and got themselves in front after Sesko’s double, however, United once again failed to protect their lead as they were held by another team in the lower half of the table after recent draws against Leeds, Wolves, West Ham and Bournemouth.
‘My experience is only tonight,’ said Fletcher. ‘We get 2-1 up and we were a bit passive. I think it is proved in the season that we give up goals too easily.
Darren Fletcher applauds the United fans with Casemiro after the 2-2 draw at Burnley
‘There is a tactical element when you change from a back-five, but you defend as a team. I think the xG tonight was 0.2, but they still scored two goals.
‘You can get in that cycle with a bit of confidence. Can you see the game out or go on and win it and win football games? Sometimes you’ve got to win ugly.’
Fletcher named his son Jack as a substitute but left twin brother Tyler out of the squad after he had been included by Amorim in recent weeks. However, the young player be brought off the bench was Shea Lacey, who impressed and went close to a sensational goal when he rattled the bar.
‘I said to him stay wide on the right and go and do what you do,’ revealed Fletcher. ‘I knew he is going to make an impact.
‘He is exciting, he is direct, he is fearless. I am really pleased with him and I know he’s going to be a big part of Manchester United’s future.’
