Darren Fletcher has been speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Brighton at Old Trafford.
This was the embargoed section of the pre-match press conference.
The first question was about Ben Sesko, who scored a brace against Burnley on Wednesday.
“You seem to have worked wonders with Benjamin Sesko in 48 hours. Just how much potential do you see in this squad? Obviously, it’s been quite a tough season so far. How much potential do you see? For you or the next person coming along, how much can they draw from this squad of players now?”
Fletcher answered:
“Well, first of all, I think Ben, he’s the one who crosses the white line. He done it for himself. Look, I said we showed some video, but Ben’s been working really, really hard. He’s a diligent lad. He trains well. He reviews his games meticulously. So he’s been striving for that moment. I’m just fortunate that it came in the game that I was taking charge of, so I’m more than happy for him.”
“There’s lots of potential in this squad, and I think potential is a good word because you can see some young players who are learning their trade and developing at Manchester United under the biggest microscope, under the most intense pressure. So within that, they’ll have to learn quickly, but they’ll have to develop a thick skin and deal with the pressures that come with that.”
“But I said it the other day, that’s Manchester United. And as quickly as they can learn to deal with that, accept that, we have to help them. Experienced players have to help them, coaches staff have to help them, managers have to help them, everyone in the club has to help them. The biggest thing for me is the fan support, that that’s there on the pitch, understanding of these things. But I can’t question any for that because the fans away from home the other night and in the home stadium, I think they’ve been fantastic with the players. So if you take it in isolation on matchday, I think the players are in a good environment to improve and to learn and to keep developing.”
A reporter then asked:
“I don’t know if you remember saying this, but after Jose was sacked and Ole came in, you said the club risked writing off the season by hiring a caretaker. Now, I’m not expecting you to say that’s going to be the case here and you’re entitled to change your mind, but do you think that there needs to be some clarity on who’s going to be in charge for the rest of the season sooner rather than later?”
This brought a smile from the interim coach, who replied:
“It’s good research, that! I was young and naive when I said that, wasn’t I? No, that was my feeling at the time. Then I was thinking, I was speaking in context of probably being out of the game and not involved in it from the inside. I think the most important thing for me is it’s not my decision. And ultimately, the club needs to do what they think is best. The people that are higher up in the roles in the club, they need to do what they think is best. They need to know what their plan is going forward for the success of Manchester United. And I’m sure they’ll do that. I think that they’ll be strong enough to accept and to deal with that pressure and to make the right decision for what’s best for them and for what Manchester United is.”
Will JJ Gabriel play against Brighton?
The next question was in regard to the 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel. The reporter asked Fletcher, who was managing the Under 18’s, whether he could provide insight on him and whether he will be in the squad tomorrow.
“Well, he could be, but he’s not going to be because obviously anybody could be picked,” Fletcher answered. “But JJ is a fantastic talent. I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely, Getting to know him. He’s a young lad with a massive hype. There’s a lot of noise around him, and deservedly so, because he’s a real talented kid. He works hard. He loves football. First thing I say is he loves football. He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He makes fantastic decisions. He’s just got an enthusiasm for the game that’s just amazing.”
“15 years old, a bright future ahead of him. I’m super excited by his talent, but the most important thing that he keeps developing, and he’s in the Under-18s team and he’s doing fantastically well, but he’s still got lots to learn. He’s developing within there. But the world’s his oyster, and he just needs to go on his journey, and his time will come in due course.”
“But for just now, it’s a little bit early, I think, and I think a lot of people would agree with me. But I couldn’t speak highly enough of JJ. He’s got an amazing family, an amazing support around him, and he’s somebody we are delighted to have at the club, and we just hope he keeps improving, learning every day, and just keep being the boy that he is, really, and enjoying, loving playing football and going and expressing himself and scoring lots of goals so the Manchester United Under-18s win every game, and then I’ll be a happy man.”
The comments from the presser are still being released. Refresh the page regularly for updates.
The first section of the press conference is available here.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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