Darren Fletcher has admitted that taking charge of Manchester United is ‘beyond his wildest dreams’, but he will leave any talks over his long-term future until after Wednesday’s game at Burnley.
Fletcher has stepped up from Under-18s coach to be caretaker boss for the clash at Turf Moor following the club’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim on Monday after 14 months at Old Trafford.
The 41-year-old former United midfielder is also understood to be in contention to become interim head coach until the end of the season along with other leading candidates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Speaking at Carrington on Tuesday evening, Fletcher said: ‘It’s surreal. It’s an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team. I don’t think in my wildest dreams that was something that could happen.
‘To lead out a team is an amazing honour and something I’m really proud of today. Not in the circumstances I expected, that’s something that doesn’t sit easy with me, but I’ve got a job to do and will think of the honour and pride.’
However, Fletcher was reluctant to be drawn over the possibility of staying in charge any longer, even though he confirmed holding talks with director of football Jason Wilcox.
Darren Fletcher will take charge of Manchester United on an interim basis, with his first assignment coming on Wednesday against Burnley
After that, he will discuss his future with director of football Jason Wilcox (centre)
Fletcher has been a first-team coach, technical director, and U18s head coach at United
He won five Premier League titles and a Champions League among other honours as a player
‘I’ve had a conversation and the focus was on this game. We’ll speak after the game,’ he added.
‘I’ve got a game to prepare for, a training session to organise, and speak to players. The focus has been on the Burnley match and we’ll speak after the game.’
Fletcher confirmed that he will be assisted by Under-21s coaches Travis Binnion and Alan Wright, with Jonny Evans returning to the club in a coaching capacity after leaving his post as loan manager in December.
The Scot’s son Jack has come off the bench three times in recent games, while his twin brother Tyler has been in the squad for the last three matches.
Asked if he would play his boys at Burnley, Fletcher said: ‘I would be disclosing team information and I’m not doing going to do that. They were in training on Monday, and they’ve been in the squad recently. They are on the periphery of the squad, but if they make the matchday squad remains to be seen.’
Captain Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount will also return to the squad at Burnley, but Fletcher said they would be on ‘restricted minutes’ after injury.
He was asked what his United team will look like. ‘Hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me,’ he said. ‘A team that fans can be proud of and I can be proud of.
‘We’ve got good players who care, and a lot of quality, and I hope to give them a platform to show that. It’s their season, their careers, their opportunity. I’m here to help them.’
