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Man United press conference live: Interim manager Darren Fletcher faces the media after Ruben Amorim’s sacking

Fletcher will lead Manchester United in their Premier League game with Burnley on Wednesday evening

Related video: Has Amorim provoked his own departure at Man United?

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.

United boosted by recovering duo

United 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."

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 20:12

Fletcher to select team 'fans can be proud of'

"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."

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 19:48

Fletcher brings in Evans for support

Under-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.

Darren Fletcher speaks to the media at Carrington
Darren Fletcher speaks to the media at Carrington (Getty)
Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 19:31

Solskjaer and Carrick under consideration

Fletcher 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."

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 19:14

'An amazing honour'

"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."

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 18:58

'Surreal', says Fletcher on United role

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.

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 18:47

'I will try and do everything I can to make Manchester United successful'

More from Darren Fletcher:

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 18:13

Fletcher reacts to ‘surreal’ appointment as interim Manchester United manager

Read 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

The former midfielder has been placed in interim charge after the departure of Ruben Amorim
Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 17:55

'Evans knows the players'

Fletcher 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.”

Jonny Evans is back at Manchester United (Adam Davy/PA)
Jonny Evans is back at Manchester United (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Archive)
Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 17:43

'I will do my best for the club'

More 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.”

Lawrence Ostlere6 January 2026 17:43

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