Interim head coach Darren Fletcher says it is beyond his wildest dreams to be leading Manchester United but insists he has not given any thought to replacing Ruben Amorim moving forward.
It has been a whirlwind few days at Old Trafford, where the Portuguese's heated meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox on Friday triggered a series of events that ended up with Monday's sacking.
Under-18s boss Fletcher has been temporarily parachuted into the United hotseat and will take charge of his first senior game in Wednesday's Premier League trip to Burnley.
"It's surreal," said the interim boss, who made 342 appearances for the Red Devils and has worked in a variety of different roles for them since 2020.
"It's an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team. I don't even think it's in my wildest dreams that that was something that could potentially happen.
"I think even thinking about playing for the club and stuff like that, but to lead out a team is an amazing honour, and something I'm really proud to do.
"Not in the circumstances I expected it to happen, so that obviously is something that doesn't sit quite easy with me. But I've got a job to do, and I've got to lead the team tomorrow, and think of the great honour and pride in doing that."
Fletcher is expected to remain in charge for Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton as United consider their options.
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Darren Fletcher press conference
- Darren Fletcher speaks to media at Manchester United's Carrington training complex
- Ruben Amorim sacked after poor results and fallout without director of football Jason Wilcox
- Interim manager Fletcher will take charge for game at Burnley on Wednesday night
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick being considered for temporary role
- Oliver Glasner, Enzo Maresca and Xavi Hernandez on shortlist for permanent job
- Darren Fletcher: 'Managing United is an amazing honour'
- Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount back in United's squad for Burnley trip
- Fletcher brings in Jonny Evans to assist in short-term coaching role
United boosted by recovering duo
20:12 , Lawrence OstlereUnited will be boosted at Burnley by the return of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount having been without eight first-team players for Amorim's final two matches.
"I think Mason and Bruno were pushing to play against Leeds," Fletcher said.
"The decision was that they weren't quite ready, so they've trained, so they should be back in the squad.
"But they'll be on managed minutes because they've obviously just returned to training, so that's good news."
Fletcher to select team 'fans can be proud of'
19:48 , Lawrence Ostlere"Hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me and what I know is Manchester United," Fletcher said.
"So, I hope it resembles a Manchester United team that fans can be proud of, that I can be proud of, and I'm sure they will because I believe in the players.
"I think we've got good players, and I think we've got players who care, and I think we've got a lot of quality in that team.
"I hope to give them a platform to go out there, to express themselves and to show that and also to challenge them.
"It's about them, it's not about me. It's their season, it's their careers, it's their opportunity. I'm here to help them.
"But they're the ones who have to cross that white line and go on the pitch and make it happen, so give them some responsibility to go and do that."
Fletcher brings in Evans for support
19:31 , Lawrence OstlereUnder-21s lead coach Travis Binnion and his assistant Alan Wright are working alongside Fletcher, as is former United defender Jonny Evans having recently left his role as the club's loans manager.
They have had precious little time to work with the group ahead of the trip to Turf Moor, where Fletcher's formation and style will be of great interest.
Solskjaer and Carrick under consideration
19:14 , Lawrence OstlereFletcher is expected to remain in charge for Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Brighton as United consider their options.
Former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-coach Michael Carrick are under consideration for the caretaker role.
Asked if he was interested in the job beyond this interim spell, Fletcher said: "Honestly, it's not something I've thought about.
"I'm focusing on Burnley. I think that discussion is for after the game.
"There's been that much going on, it's all happened so quickly. All my concentration and efforts and thoughts have gone into Burnley and I know that sounds like a generic answer but it is what it is."
'An amazing honour'
18:58 , Lawrence Ostlere"It's an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team. I don't even think it's in my wildest dreams that that was something that could potentially happen.
"I think even thinking about playing for the club and stuff like that, but to lead out a team is an amazing honour, and something I'm really proud to do.
"Not in the circumstances I expected it to happen, so that obviously is something that doesn't sit quite easy with me.
"But I've got a job to do, and I've got to lead the team tomorrow, and think of the great honour and pride in doing that."
'Surreal', says Fletcher on United role
18:47 , Lawrence OstlereInterim head coach Darren Fletcher says it is beyond his wildest dreams to be leading Manchester United but insists he has not given any thought to replacing Ruben Amorim moving forward.
It has been a whirlwind few days at Old Trafford, where the Portuguese's heated meeting with director of football Jason Wilcox on Friday triggered a series of events that ended up with Monday's sacking.
Under-18s boss Fletcher has been temporarily parachuted into the United hotseat and will take charge of his first senior game in Wednesday's Premier League trip to Burnley.
"It's surreal," said the interim boss, who made 342 appearances for the Red Devils and has worked in a variety of different roles for them since 2020.
'I will try and do everything I can to make Manchester United successful'
18:13 , Lawrence OstlereMore from Darren Fletcher:
🗣️ "I will try and do everything I can to make Manchester United successful."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 6, 2026
Darren Fletcher on Manchester United 'reconnecting' together after Ruben Amorim's sacking 🤝 pic.twitter.com/AV7Gu05EAi
Fletcher reacts to ‘surreal’ appointment as interim Manchester United manager
17:55 , Lawrence OstlereRead more from our Senior Football Correspondent, Richard Jolly, who was at Darren Fletcher’s press conference tonight:
Darren Fletcher reacts to ‘surreal’ appointment as Manchester United manager
'Evans knows the players'
17:43 , Lawrence OstlereFletcher has brought back Jonny Evans to join him on his coaching staff. The Northern Ireland international retired in the summer and was a teammate of Fletcher’s at both United and West Bromwich Albion.
He will also be assisted by Travis Binnion and Alan Wright.
“Travis, who I started my coaching career with in the academy, I couldn’t ask for anyone better beside me, we’ve got a close relationship.
“Jonny Evans is coming in to help as well, a great association with the club, knows the players, is comfortable in the environment and a familiar face to the group.”
'I will do my best for the club'
17:43 , Lawrence OstlereMore from Fletcher: “For a game [my role is] to try and win a match against Burnley. I’ve had a few different roles, every time my focus and energy has been to do the best for Manchester United and help the people I’m working with.
“Everyone expects Manchester United to be on top and winning. That’s what we have to achieve and I do my best in whatever role to make that happen.”
'I hope the team represents a bit of me'
17:40 , Lawrence OstlereWhat sort of team will United be under Fletcher?
“Hopefully it looks like an Manchester United team that represents a bit of me, 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.”
Fletcher tight-lipped on sons' involvement
17:37 , Lawrence OstlereWill Fletcher be picking his twin sons, Jack and Tyler?
“I’d be disclosing team information and I’m not doing going to do that. They were in training on Monday, they’ve been in squad recently, we’ve got a couple of players back from injury and have a couple to assess. They are in the periphery squad but if they make the matchday squad, it remains to be seen.”
'I've not thought beyond Burnley game'
17:34 , Lawrence OstlereFletcher is asked if he wants to stay on beyond the Burnley game.
“Honestly, it’s not something I’ve thought about. That discussion is for after the game. It’s all happened so quickly, all my concentration and efforts are going on Burnley.”
Has he spoken to director of football Jason Wilcox about taking charge until the end of the season?
“I’ve had a conversation and the focus was on this game and we’ll speak after the game. I’ve got a game to prepare, training session to organise, speak to players. The focus has been on the Burnley match and we’ll speak after the game.”
'Managing United is an amazing honour'
17:32 , Lawrence OstlereMore from Fletcher: “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 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.”
Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount 'available'
17:30 , Lawrence OstlereDarren Fletcher has spoken to the press this evening, and he delivered some positive team news with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes available to play against Burnley tomorrow night:
“Mason and Bruno were pushing to play against Leeds, they’ve trained, they’ll be back in the squad but will be on restricted minutes.
“Mount form has been fantastic and we don’t have to speak about Bruno, he is the leader of the team, to have them available is great news.”
Fletcher quotes incoming...
17:24 , Lawrence OstlereDarren Fletcher has spoken to the media and we will be dropping his comments here in five minutes’ time.
Solskjaer in talks over return to United
17:20 , Lawrence OstlereOle Gunnar Solskjaer could make a shock return to Old Trafford after Manchester United held talks with the Norwegian about becoming their interim manager.
Read more, from Miguel Delaney:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in talks over shock return as Man United manager
Who will take permanent role?
17:16 , Lawrence OstlereUnited’s plan is for a permanent appointment to join the club this summer. A number of candidates United could consider might become available, with managers like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino potentially leaving international jobs after the World Cup, while Oliver Glasner’s contract with Crystal Palace expires then. Former Barcelona manager Xavi has also been linked.
Carrick another interim option
17:09 , Lawrence OstlereCarrick had three games in caretaker charge in 2021 and has since had the experience of managing Middlesbrough in the Championship, while Ruud van Nistelrooy went unbeaten in four matches as the interim after Ten Hag was dismissed.
United make contact with Solskjaer
17:03 , Lawrence OstlereSolskjaer was caretaker manager before being appointed on a permanent basis and is available after leaving Besiktas in August. United have spoken to Solskjaer about the possibility of the former striker taking charge until the end of the season.
Fletcher gets first chance to impress
16:55 , Lawrence OstlereIt would give them more time to alight on a preferred candidate as they look for a seventh manager – excluding caretaker and interim appointments – after Sir Alex Ferguson.
It would follow the approach United adopted in 2021-22 when Ralf Rangnick was interim manager for the final five months of the season after Solskjaer was sacked and before Erik ten Hag was brought in.
Now Fletcher will have the first opportunity to stake a claim to be at the helm for the rest of the campaign, though other former United players and coaches could come into consideration.
United considering interim candidates
16:48 , Lawrence OstlereUnited are likely to appoint an interim manager for the rest of the season and wait until the summer before bringing in the permanent successor to Ruben Amorim, with Darren Fletcher, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick all under consideration.
United confirmed that Under-18s coach Fletcher will take charge of Wednesday’s match at Burnley, and the Scot is expected to remain at the helm for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Brighton.
But United are also considering waiting until the close season before installing a long-term replacement to Amorim.
Amorim sacked after fallout with hierarchy
16:41 , Lawrence OstlereAmorim was pictured smiling on a walk with his wife on Monday afternoon, having been told of the club's decision by chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox in the morning.
The Portuguese is understood to have had a significant, heated exchange with Wilcox on Friday in the wake of the drab 1-1 home draw with rock-bottom Wolves.
Amorim is said to have snapped at talk of his set-up and the United boss hinted at tension behind the scenes during the press conference that followed later that day.
The meeting triggered a series of events that left his position untenable, with Sunday's blockbuster comments following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Elland Road proving the final straw.
Amorim sacked after fallout with hierarchy
16:35 , Lawrence Ostlere"With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club's leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change," the club said in a statement.
"This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish."
Amorim sacked after fallout with hierarchy
16:29 , Lawrence OstlereManchester United called time on Ruben Amorim's tenure yesterday after a frosty end to 14 underwhelming months and handed the reins to former midfielder Darren Fletcher on a temporary basis.
There have been more lows – and press conference soundbites – than highs since the 40-year-old succeeded Erik ten Hag as head coach in November 2024, signing a deal until 2027.
United's costly Europa League final loss to Tottenham compounded a 15th-place finish in the Premier League, their worst campaign in 51 years, and some flickers of improvement this term have not been enough.
A lack of evolution and progress rather than a power struggle led to Amorim's exit, club sources have told the Press Association, with former midfielder Fletcher placed in charge for Wednesday's trip to Burnley.
Darren Fletcher press conference – live
16:15 , Lawrence OstlereFletcher will actually speak at 5pm GMT, at Manchester United’s training ground, although his quotes will not be released until 5.30pm.
Darren Fletcher press conference – live
16:08 , Lawrence OstlereHello and welcome along to live coverage of Darren Fletcher’s first press conference as Manchester United’s new interim manager, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, after a whirlwind 36 hours at Old Trafford.
