Man United appoint decorated academy graduate as U18 head coach

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of decorated academy graduate Darren Fletcher as the new U18 head coach (via the club’s official website).

The position became vacant after Adam Lawrence left at the end of last season.

He has already started his new role, taking charge of the pre-season preparations, which kicked off at Adidas’ global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Fletcher was in charge when Man United thrashed Queens Park Rangers 8-2 in a friendly at Carrington on Saturday, with youngster JJ Gabriel scoring a brilliant goal in the fixture.

Reacting to his appointment, he said: “I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to develop our young players directly.

“I’m looking forward to working with such a talented age-group; supporting them to reach their potential and preparing them to enjoy careers at the highest level possible.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox believes the 41-year-old ‘knows exactly what it takes to be a successful Academy graduate’.

Youngsters such as Gabriel, Jayden Ngwashi, and Godwill Kukonki, who is set to sign his first professional contract, would hope to follow in the footsteps of the Scottish tactician.

Fletcher’s first role will be helping United reclaim the U18 Premier League North title, which rivals Manchester City won, and the National League title, which was clinched by Aston Villa last season.

Winning the FA Youth Cup will also be a priority after Aston Villa dethroned United as the competition’s champions last term.

Fletcher enjoyed a successful career at United. He won five Premier League titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

He left the Manchester outfit for West Bromwich Albion as a free agent in 2015.

Article written by Henry Thornton .