Darren Fletcher asks for Alex Ferguson's blessing before accepting the interim manager's job at Manchester United

JAKARTA - Darren Fletcher revealed that he asked Sir Alex Ferguson for his blessing before accepting the job as Manchester United's interim manager.

Fletcher was appointed as interim manager following the decision to sack head coach Ruben Amorim on Monday, January 5, 2026.

The former midfielder made his debut as a player at Manchester United in 2003 under Ferguson - who turns 84 on New Year's Eve - and later won five Premier League titles with the Scot.

"I don't like making big decisions or other things without talking to Sir Alex. I have a very good relationship with Sir Alex."

"So, he's probably the first person I'd call. I'd like to speak to him first. In the end to get his blessing, just honestly."

"I think he deserves that respect. I want to talk to him about it and see what he thinks. He supports it," said Fletcher.

Fletcher will lead his first match against Burnley on Thursday, January 8, 2026, early morning WIB.

The 41-year-old coach has been promoted from coaching Manchester United's U-18 team, who routinely play with a four-back formation.

Although he did not directly confirm that there would be a change of system at Turf Moor, Fletcher hinted that he was ready to leave Amorim's three-back formation as soon as possible.

"We don't know, I can't reveal it. I think when you talk about the U-18 team, it's a style and a system that the club thinks is the best to develop players."

"Of course, you try to win every football game, but basically we are trying to develop players. The formation is obviously suited for that."

"So, that's the club formation we use. That's a formation I've been playing for a long time," said Fletcher.