As press conferences by Manchester United head coaches go, this was somewhat less eventful than the last.
A little more than 48 hours since Ruben Amorim brought his time in charge to a dramatic end by arguing that he is “a manager and not a ‘coach”, Darren Fletcher could only talk of the “honour” it will be to lead a United side against Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow night.
There were no broadsides at the sporting director or the scouting department. There were never going to be. Fletcher is the safe pair of hands United have chosen to guide them through this tumultuous week, perhaps beyond if necessary.
Yet Fletcher still offered insights on the delicate moment the club finds itself in, how United’s players might deal with the criticism of his ex-team-mates, his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and his vision of what United should be.
Here, The Athletic picks through the key talking points from Fletcher’s first dealings with the press as interim head coach.
Back three or back four?
Fletcher was sitting at the top table in Carrington’s press conference room partly because of tensions between his predecessor and the United hierarchy regarding tactics — specifically, Amorim’s reluctance to deviate from his trusted back three.
Will we see the 3-4-3 again at Turf Moor? Fletcher largely kept his counsel on how United will line up at Turf Moor, predictably refusing to disclose his plans, but there was still a clue or two as to his thinking.
The Scot has typically played a 4-3-3 system while working within United’s youth set-up as under-16s and under-18s head coach, although he explained that it is an academy-wide policy.
And when coaching youngsters, there are different priorities. “Fundamentally, we’re trying to develop players and that formation definitely suits that,” he said.
It is a formation he knows intimately, though. “I’ve been used to playing for a long time as well,” he pointed out.
Though still not giving much away, Fletcher’s experience with back four systems as both a player and coach points towards a switch of shape. Yet beyond tactics, what will Fletcher’s United look like?
“Hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me in terms of what I know as Manchester United,” he said. “I hope it represents a Manchester United team that fans can be proud of, that I can be proud of.”
As well as questioning those in the manager’s office, plenty have also questioned the quality of United’s squad. Their desire, too. Fletcher defended the players on both counts.
“I think we’ve got good players, players who care and a lot of quality in that team, and I hope to give them a platform to express that and show that.”
Respect for Ruben
Although Fletcher expressed his pride at this opportunity to lead a United team, he acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances that led to it.
Fletcher did not have the chance to speak to Amorim before he left Carrington on Monday morning. He has reached out to him since, though, and can understand why he is still waiting to talk and say goodbye properly.
“He’s obviously got a lot on his mind and I’ve been really busy, so I’ve not had the chance to. I’d love to because I had a good relationship with Ruben,” he said. “He was great with me.”
Amorim was not only a colleague of Fletcher. He was also the coach who gave a senior debut to Fletcher’s son Jack, and included Jack’s twin Tyler in his first-ever matchday squad. “As a father, I’ve got a lot to thank him for.”
As to whether Jack and Tyler will be involved on Wednesday? “That’d be disclosing team information before the game,” he said, with a smile. “I’m not going to do that and give anything away!”
Getting Ferguson’s blessing
Amorim was not the first person Fletcher reached out to, though. That was, perhaps inevitably, Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I don’t like to make any major decisions or things without speaking to Sir Alex,” he said. “That’s something I’ve done since I’ve been at the club and since I’ve left the club and everything I do.”
Fletcher’s respect for Ferguson is immense, as you would expect. But the pair grew especially close following Fletcher’s diagnosis with ulcerative colitis in 2011, after which his manager began preparing him for a life in coaching.
“I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately to get his blessing to be perfectly honest with you,” Fletcher said. “I think he deserves that respect.”
Fletcher and Sir Alex Ferguson, pictured here in 2003, have been close since the former’s playing days (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
Ferguson was always going to endorse Fletcher for this role. And the Scot’s message to him upon hearing the news was simple: “It’s your job to do your best for Manchester United.”
Fletcher could not have put it better himself. “It’s amazing when he says something that I try to live and believe every day.”
Ex-player pressure
Fletcher becomes the fifth ex-United player to take charge in a caretaker capacity since Ferguson’s retirement, following Ryan Giggs, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Others have chosen a different post-playing career path, becoming vocal and influential pundits — something that Amorim railed against in his final act as United head coach, insisting that the club must change if “people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles, the criticism of everything”.
Many of the most critical voices, like Neville, are Fletcher’s former team-mates. Even so, his perspective on the issue was illuminating, as he contrasted the criticism of ex-players with the support inside Old Trafford, which is often more understanding.
Gary Neville’s criticisms were noted by Ruben Amorim (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
“I think the fans, especially in Old Trafford, have been amazing in recent years. There have been a few moments here and there, but in general, the support that the fans have given players and managers, understanding of the situation.
“I think it could have been a lot worse inside the stadium,” he said. “I’ve probably experienced other stadiums where there has been a lot more pressure and hostility, so maybe the players have to deal with that noise (from ex-players) more than actual stadium pressure.”
Although difficult to hear their criticism, Fletcher acknowledged that his former team-mates in the media have “got their medals on the table” and faced the same scrutiny once.
“That’s what it is, being a Manchester United player. Get your head around it, learn how you’re going to deal with it, and embrace the challenge.”
Meeting the new boys
Fletcher’s appointment as under-18s head coach last summer saw him move away from the first-team environment and focus on the academy. That has meant less time around the squad and fewer opportunities to get to know the new signings. Until now.
Despite the whirlwind of the last 48 hours, Fletcher has still found time to speak one-on-one with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, who have all arrived at Carrington since his move to “the other side of the building”.
“I focused on (them) because I’ve not really got a relationship with them and I wanted to get to know them and I wanted them to get to know me.”
There was a brief chat with goalkeeper Senne Lammens, and a sit-down with captain Bruno Fernandes, too, who is set to return from injury at Turf Moor, albeit with his minutes managed. Fletcher sat next to Fernandes at Old Trafford for the Boxing Day win over Newcastle United, where they were pictured deep in conversation.
Fletcher talks to Bruno Fernandes on Boxing Day (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Could he stay longer?
The lingering question is this: Is this all for one night only? United’s statement announcing Amorim’s exit said Fletcher “will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday”. No more.
United have held talks with several candidates to take interim charge until the end of the season, with Solskjaer among the frontrunners.
Fletcher will hold his own talks with the club’s hierarchy once the Burnley game is out of the way. “Honestly, (staying longer) is not something I’ve thought about,” he said.
You may or may not believe that — even Fletcher acknowledged that was “a generic answer” — but it is the only one he can give at present. All his focus has to be on Wednesday night, the night the Fletcher era begins, however long it lasts.