Darren Fletcher of Manchester United arrives
Darren Fletcher's son is in the Manchester United squad
Manchester United's r of including an academy player in every matchday squad since 1937 has been kept alive. Ruben Amorim has chosen to select , among his substitutes.
United's tradition of bringing talent through their ranks and backing them has seen them boast an academy player in every matchday squad for 88 years. A period spanning 4,332 successive games.
It was uncertain whether that figure would notch up another after went down injured ahead of United's clash against . The England international has helped keep the record alive this season, and for the previous four games, was the only academy graduate in United's squad.
But Fletcher, 18, was included in the travelling party that made its way down to London and has even made the matchday squad. The England youth international has not made his first-team debut for United, but was on the first-team bench more than once last season.
Fletcher and his twin brother, Tyler, joined United from City's academy in 2023. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton would have been another option to keep the record alive after coming through the academy, but Senne Lammens and Altay Bayindir have been preferred.
United classifies a homegrown player as one who signed for the club before the age of 21 and has not played for another senior team. They must also have played for a junior team at United.
Amorim recently said he would not be the coach who broke United's longstanding record. The Portuguese coach has kept his word so far.
The United boss has kept faith with a midfield combination of and Casemiro, with Fletcher still facing competition on the bench from Manuel Ugarte and to make his debut.
Benjamin Sesko is also among the substitutes against Spurs with Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha making up the front three. Amorim makes three changes to his starting line-up following the draw with as , Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu come into the team.
XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro, Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Heaven, Yoro, Mount, Fletcher, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee.
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