Darren Fletcher defends Manchester United’s academy after Ruben Amorim criticism

MANCHESTER – Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher said on Jan 9 that the club’s academy is one of the best in the world, after recent critical comments from sacked manager Ruben Amorim.

The Scot was put in temporary charge of the side following the

dismissal of Amorim

on Jan 5, leading them to a 2-2 draw at Burnley two days later.

The Portuguese was criticised for not giving enough opportunities to academy graduates, notably Kobbie Mainoo. In December, he questioned Harry Amass and Chido Obi’s performances, describing a “feeling of entitlement” at United.

But former Red Devil Fletcher, appointed Under-18s head coach in July and himself a product of the club’s academy, robustly defended the youth set-up ahead of United’s FA Cup third-round home clash

against Brighton & Hove Albion

on Jan 11.

United have named a home-grown player in every match-day squad since 1937.

“Historically, this club’s built around the academy, we’ve got an amazing academy,” he told reporters. “Our record speaks for itself.

“I’m not going to stand here and say anything other than that. We’ve got an amazing record. I think it’s hard to beat in terms of the history of clubs around the world.

“I think we’ve got some amazing players, some amazing talents. I think what I see is a lot of hardworking, humble young players who aren’t perfect because they’re young and they’re learning and they’ve got a lot to do.

“We ask too much of young people in society at times and in general. We have to let them learn, educate them, help them understand they will make mistakes. With good guidance, all of us play a part in developing them to be Manchester United players and people.”

Mainoo played for England in the 2024 European Championship final, but is yet to start an English Premier League game this season.

Fletcher said the 20-year-old’s mood was difficult to judge because he “doesn’t give you much. He’s in a good place, he’s trained well and as I said, he’s hard to read Kobe, so that remains to be seen”, said the interim boss.

He added no decision has been made on Harry Maguire after his return from injury. Fletcher will not have reinforcements for the third-round clash with Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo still at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“It's too close a turnaround. So we’ll have the same players available we had against Burnley, no new additions,” he said.

Mbeumo, however, could be the first to return after his Cameroon side were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Mazraoui’s Morocco on Jan 9. Diallo’s Ivory Coast face Egypt on Jan 10 in a last-eight tie that took place after press time.

Cameroon’s exit means Carlos Baleba could soon return for Brighton, though not for this game. Stefanos Tzimas, Adam Webster, Solly March and Mats Wieffer are injured. Joel Veltman and Charalampos Kostoulas have been passed fit, while Yankuba Minteh faces a late fitness test.

Said Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler of United under Fletcher: “They changed the system. I don’t know how they will face us. We saw only one game against Burnley and it’s difficult to get so many conclusions out of one game.

“They changed to a back four. They had one clear No. 10 on the pitch, one clear striker. They played a lot of crosses, especially from the left side. They have good crossers on the right side like Diogo Dalot.

“The main thing is United are still a big club with big players. They showed it again against Burnley that they can score in every second of the game, that they can easily change dynamics of the game within one action.”

United, seventh in the Premier League, are searching for a caretaker manager until the end of the season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick both linked with the role.

But Fletcher brushed aside questions over his own future.

“(Director of football) Jason (Wilcox) and (chief executive) Omar (Berrada) have given me full responsibility to take control of these two games, make my own decisions, lead the team, guide the team, prepare the team, and that’s what I’ve been doing,” he said. AFP, REUTERS