“They’re fit because they’ve trained really hard, they’re willing — the application and desire is there — and the intensity is there. They’ve worked hard all pre-season.
“Overall, I thought it was a great performance. In and out of possession, we were fantastic and dominant. It’s only a 1-0 win, but it should have been more. We probably had 70-75% possession, created numerous chances, but we didn’t take them. That’s something we have to learn from.”
‘LET THEM DEVELOP’
Fletcher reminded fans and outsiders to let the young players involved in the Under-18s this season have the space and time to develop without excessive attention or pressure.
There were three youngsters involved in Saturday’s win at Everton playing up an age group or two, something that Fletcher himself experienced in his teenage years.
“It’s important we let them develop,” he explained.
“They’ve got loads of development to do but they’re sponges. They want to learn. They’re young boys who just enjoy football. They take on the information, we’re trying to give them a platform on which to express themselves.
“And we have to recognise their age as well. We don’t want them to grow up too quickly. Let them just develop. It’s difficult when they’re on TV, but that’s part of the game and the modern world. We don’t want to hold anybody back. If you’re performing, you’re going to get rewards for it. They’ve played because they deserve it and they’ve shown they can compete and fight at this level.
“We believe in a variety of experience so it’s important they play at their own age group and it’s important they get tested [at this level] and they find things tough.”
ENNIS FIRES UNDER-21s TO WIN
Ethan Ennis’s thumping finish got United off to a good start in Premier League 2, with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.