Darren Fletcher, the former Manchester United midfielder, revealed he consulted club legend Sir Alex Ferguson for his approval before accepting the interim manager role following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The 41-year-old Fletcher, who recently coached the club’s Under-18s squad, took charge for his debut match on Wednesday—a Premier League away fixture against Burnley, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Benjamin Šeško scored twice for United, but late goals from the hosts denied Fletcher a winning start.
Fletcher may also lead the team in the upcoming FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, though the club is reportedly in discussions with former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Michael Carrick about potential caretaker roles.
Speaking to reporters, Fletcher emphasised his deep respect for Ferguson: “I don’t like to make any major decisions without speaking to Sir Alex. I’ve got a really good relationship with him, so I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately get his blessing. I think he deserves that respect.”
He added: “I wanted to run it by him and he echoed my thoughts. When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United. It was comforting for him to say that.”
Fletcher, who made 342 appearances for United—mostly under Ferguson—becomes the 11th manager (permanent or interim) since the Scot’s retirement in 2013, a period in which the club has won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues under his leadership.
At the time of Amorim’s departure after 14 months, United sat sixth in the Premier League with points from around 20 games. The draw at Turf Moor saw them slip slightly, with the search for a permanent replacement already underway amid ongoing challenges.