Change of focus: Darren Fletcher will become the new full-time lead coach of Manchester United’s Under-18s team
The former Scotland midfielder first returned to Old Trafford - where he previously spent 20 years as a player - as an U16s coach in 2020 before joining the first-team coaching staff early the following year under then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Fletcher will begin his new role immediately, United confirmed, and will continue to lead the U18 squad’s pre-season preparations after overseeing a training camp at Adidas’ global headquarters in Germany before an 8-2 win over QPR at Carrington over the weekend.
“I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players,” the 41-year-old said.
"I’m looking forward to working with such a talented age-group; supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.”
Fletcher replaces Adam Lawrence, who departed United earlier this summer after leading the U18s to three trophies during the 2023/24 season and an FA Youth Cup semi-final last season.
Having graduated from United’s academy, Fletcher won five Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup as well as the Champions League and Club World Cup, making over 340 appearances in total for the Red Devils.
His twin sons Jack and Tyler Fletcher both play for United at youth level after joining from Manchester City in 2023.
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“He knows exactly what it takes to be a successful academy graduate and has played a key role in shaping the pathway for so many of our young players in recent years.
“Darren’s excellent relationships across the entire staff will only increase the strong connection between the academy and first team, further enhancing our ability to produce world-class players ready to excel at Manchester United.”
After leaving Old Trafford in February 2015, Fletcher spent a season-and-a-half at West Brom before finishing his professional playing career at Stoke in 2019.
Following his return to United as a coach, he was quickly named as their first technical director - a role he was replaced in by Wilcox last year - in March 2021. Fletcher then returned to the first-team coaching staff after three years in that role.