Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals that Darren Fletcher’s “loads of good opinions and ideas” made him the right man to join his backroom team after promoting his old teammate to senior manager at Manchester United
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained why he promoted Darren Fletcher to his team
- The Manchester United boss said Fletcher’s football ideas were the main reason
- The former midfielder has worked with United’s U16 players since October
- Fletcher retired in 2019 and spent 12 years with trophies at Old Trafford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed how Darren Fletcher’s ideas about football convinced him to promote the former midfielder to the Manchester United coaching line-up.
Fletcher spent more than 20 years at the club, working with United’s U16 players since October, but Solskjaer saw enough in him to bring him to his back room staff this week.
“It’s good to have him back,” Solskjaer told Manchester United official website. ‘Fletch has been very important to this club for many years.
Darren Fletcher was promoted to senior manager at Manchester United this week
Ole Gunnar Solsljaer said that Fletcher’s “football ideas” led to his promotion to the first team
‘I’ve known him since he was a little boy who got through when he was 16 and [former assistant] Mark Dempsey, he moved to the academy and is helping more there.
‘We had an opening, an open space and since Darren was gone for a few years I thought it was important that we bring him in because he has a lot of good opinions and ideas about football and I thought he would be there [Under-]16s, start of his coaching.
“We thought it was right to bring him in now.”
Fletcher retired in 2019 after stints in Stoke and West Brom. Previously, he had 12 years at United, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Solskjaer (left) played alongside Fletcher (right), both of whom enjoyed a career full of trophies
Fletcher (left) returns to Old Trafford with Michael Carrick (right) after his retirement
The Scot follows a beaten path at Old Trafford. Former players like Michael Carrick and Mike Phelan are also part of Solskjaer’s coaching staff.
However, the United boss and legendary former striker, who played alongside Fletcher at Old Trafford, said prior playing experience is not essential although he was interested in the idea.
“I think it is important that we know what we are working for and what we are working towards,” added Solskjaer.
“A lot of us have done well here, we’ve won trophies, we’ve been here for many, many years and we know what it takes to be a Man United player and coach. I like this idea. It is not a must.
“We know what values we want. The word United means: We are a team. We stay together and it’s a pleasure to see these guys work every day.
‘They help players improve individually and so spend so much energy improving the team too. It’s a fantastic group. ‘
Fletcher strengthens Solskjaer’s team ahead of a crucial Manchester derby in the Carabao Cup semi-finals tonight. The ex-midfielder is no stranger to the atmosphere of these games.
A run of four wins in their last five games has taken United to the top of the Premier League, where Solskjaer’s men are tied with Liverpool with one game in hand.
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