Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher go way back to playing together in midfield under Sir Alex Ferguson. Fletcher made the right call to fall down the age groups and remain steadfast in prioritising his own burgeoning managerial career. He's spent years in the background to assist others as a technical director or first team coach - now here he was putting his own dreams centre stage. Even coaching at Old Trafford - Youth Cup games against Peterborough United and Derby County have been held there - games draw a modest crowd of a few hundred. Fletcher is back working with Man United academy prospects such as JJ Gabriel (pictured)'We have to recognise their age as well,' Fletcher said of his players previously.

Source: Metro February 20, 2026 17:38 UTC