Darren Fletcher's first news conference as Manchester United interim boss
All the big Fantasy Premier League talking points covered below with FPL expert Gianni Buttice before gameweek 21 deadline at 18:30 on Tuesday
Latest Premier League news on Tuesday: Oliver Glasner refuses to be drawn into questions about the vacant position at Man Utd - 'it makes no sense for you to ask me any more' | Moyes says it's a 'great but difficult job'
Andoni Iraola admits there is a 'chance' tomorrow's match with Tottenham could be Antoine Semenyo's last one for Bournemouth, with links of a move to Manchester City
Team news: Dias, Gvardiol, Stones & Ake | Elanga, Burn, Krafth, Osula, Murphy | Christie | Wieffer & Minteh | Brentford | Isidor | Richards | Hwang & Gomes | Hannibal & Foster | Mings & Torres
That's all from Darren Fletcher as he completes his first press conference in charge as interim boss of Manchester United.
It's now up to Man Utd's board to decide on the right candidate for the caretaker role.
You can have your say on who the next Man Utd boss should be by clicking the link below!
Image source, Getty ImagesBurnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter
Darren Fletcher was calm and considered, which is exactly what you would expect.
He understands completely the demands of Manchester United, which is why he was happy to talk about the pride he feels at the role he is being asked to do - but focused on the Burnley game to the point of not saying whether either of his twin sons, Jack and Tyler, will be involved, or wanting to discuss what happens after the Turf Moor trip.
After the press conference Fletcher went round the room and shook everyone's hand. It's a small touch but is a human connection which makes people want him to do well.
Burnley v Manchester United (20:15 GMT)
Interim head coach Darren Fletcher on what his Manchester United side will look like: "Well, hopefully it looks like a Manchester United team that represents a bit of me and what I know as Manchester United. I hope it represents 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, we've got players who care, we've got a lot of quality in that team. I hope we can give them a platform to go out there and express themselves and for them to show that.
"It's about them. It's not about me. It's their season, their careers, their opportunity. I'm here to help them but they are the ones that have to cross that white line and go on the pitch and make it happen. So I want to give them some responsibility to go and do that."
Burnley v Manchester United (20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher on the possibility that he hands sons Jack and Tyler their full debuts at Burnley: "Well I'd be disclosing team information before the game, and I'm not going to do that or give anything away.
"Look, for me they were in the training group on Monday because that was already arranged before I got there. They have been in the squad recently but we have got a couple of players back from injury.
"We still have to assess a couple of players tomorrow as well because of the short turnaround between games. So they are in the periphery squad but whether they make the match squad, I don't know yet. That remains to be seen."
Burnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher on whether any injured players will be back to face Burnley: "I think Ruben [Amorim] alluded to it, Mason and Bruno were pushing to play against Leeds, but the decision was that they weren't quite ready. They have trained and they should be back in the squad.
"They will be on managed minutes because they have only just returned to training. That is good news obviously to have players back who have been in good form. Mount's form has been fantastic and Bruno Fernandes, well we don't have to speak about Bruno. He's the captain, the leader of the team. To have them available for selection is great news for me, the players, the club and the fans."
Burnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher on his feeling of where the club is and reconnecting it with its roots: "For a game it's to try to win a football match against Burnley. I have had a few different roles at the club, coaching the U18s just now. My focus and energy at any time that I have been at the club is to always do the best for Manchester United. Try to help the club, help the people I am working with, the players and staff, and try to help Manchester United be successful.
"Everyone expects Manchester United to be on top, to be winning, that is the standard. We all have to try to achieve that. I just do my best in whatever role I'm in to help make that happen."
Burnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher on how long he could remain in charge: "I've had some conversations and the focus was on this game, and then we'll speak after the game. It all happened very quickly on Monday morning. We had a game to prepare, a quick turnaround with a training session to organise, speaking to the players.
"It has been a quick turnaround from the Leeds game so the focus has been on the Burnley match and then we will speak after. It is important that we give the Burnley match the respect and focus it needs to prepare the team in such a short space of time."
Burnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher on the backroom team for his time in charge : "Travis Binnion who leads the U21s who I started my coaching career with in the academy, who I have known for the five years I have been here. I actually couldn't have asked for anybody better beside me. We have such a close relationship and have worked together for such a long time. Someone I respect and somebody who I have learned a lot from.
"Then his assistant Alan Wright who has newly joined the club, so the U21 staff come and join me, and Jonny Evans has come in to help as well. Somebody who has a great association with the club, recently played, knows the players and is comfortable in the environment, and he is a familiar face for the group and the players. So those three will assist me for the game tomorrow."
Burnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher on if he wants to stay on beyond the Burnley game: "Honestly it's not something I've thought about. I'm focusing on Burnley. I think that discussion is for after the game. There has been that much going on and it has all happened so quickly that all my concentration, efforts and thoughts have gone into Burnley. I know that sounds like a generic answer but it is what it is."
Burnley v Manchester United (Wed, 20:15 GMT)
Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher speaking to the media for the first time since taking charge: "Surreal [24 hours]. As you say, it's an amazing honour to be able to lead a Manchester United team. I don't even think it was in my wildest dreams that it could potentially happen, even thinking about playing for the club and stuff like that. But to lead out the team is an amazing honour and something I am really proud to do.
"It's not [happened] in the circumstances that I expected it to happen, it is something that doesn't sit quite easy with me, but I just have to think of having a job to do and I've got to lead the team tomorrow and think of the great honour and pride in doing that.
So, what has Manchester United's interim head coach Darren Fletcher had to say?
Let's take a look...
Click on 'Get involved' at the top of this page
Bring back Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and give him time!
Henning, Man Utd fan
Among all the managers in post-Sir Alex era, Ole, in my point of view, was the most successful. He did not try to overload the players with "ideas", did not play in the formation the players were not acquainted with, brought the enjoyment back into the club, got some great results against much stronger teams, and finished the league third and second in two consecutive seasons despite inheriting a squad loaded with rubbish players bought by Jose Mourinho.
Arif, Man Utd fan
OLE! Think of the football we would play with Mainoo, Cunha, Mount, Mbeumo, Fernandes and Amad under Ole. Shaw and Fernandes both arguably had their best seasons under him. At the very least, he has proven he can bring a team together as a caretaker manager mid-season in the Premier League. He did wonders to get Utd third and second. Bring him back!
Adam, Man Utd fan
It will be a tough start for whoever takes over the Old Trafford hot seat from interim boss Darren Fletcher.
Their first game in charge is likely to be a tough cup tie against Brighton before they then play host to neighbours Man City.
Oh and then just a visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal. No biggie...
Rene Meulensteen
Former Manchester United coach on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesI don't think now that it needs much to fix it, I really don't think it does. You just need to put the players in the system that the players can play to their strengths, and this could happen very, very, very quickly.
The advantage of Darren Fletcher taking over as interim is two or three-fold. He knows the club. He's been under a very successful coach so he knows what one looks like and he's also been in a culture now which is not successful, so he knows what's wrong, what to fix in the short term.
Ruben Amorim's key moments as Manchester United manager
Six days into 2026 and the 'sacking season' has begun.
First Chelsea part ways with Enzo Maresca, then Man Utd show Ruben Amorim the door.
It's been another busy day of press conferences for Premier League teams.
Here are the thoughts of a few of those managers on Ruben Amorim's departure and the vacant role at Old Trafford.
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace boss: "I am Crystal Palace manager and it makes no sense for you to ask me any more questions about it."
Pep Guardiola, Man City boss: "I can't say anything out of respect for the players and the institutions of Chelsea and Manchester United.
"All I can say is Ruben is a top manager. The decision has been made by our neighbours but I wish Ruben all the best for the future."
David Moyes, Everton boss: "It’s big talk. It’s a bit unfair that all us managers have to talk about others losing their job.
"Manchester United is a great job but a difficult job, as I well know. I’m sorry to see a manager lose his job."
So, how's it got to this stage?
After 63 games in charge for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, it's now time for five-time Premier League winner, Darren Fletcher to take the reins.
Here's how the past 24 hours have played out...
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesRuben Amorim's latest disgruntled news conference was enough to push his employers over the edge.
His cry that he was brought in "as a manager, not a coach" unsubtly underlined that executives were deciding what was needed on the pitch over and above him.
To their eyes, the hired help simply did not know his place and he had to go.
Amorim clearly thought additions had to be made to his squad this month and I have some sympathy with him.
The major acquisitions Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko have had mixed success so far but they showed fight at Leeds - which is an improvement on recent years, even if it was still a work in progress.
In 14 months, he shipped out seven first-team players from a failing squad, so although money was spent, the first-team group was still too small.
The bench at Elland Road had two 17-year-olds, three 18-year-olds and a 20-year-old with a grand total of one Premier League start between them.
By steering United to joint-fifth, he had shown he deserved the backing in the transfer window this month if he were to be kept on.
Unfortunately, in the current climate, managers (and head coaches) are far lower down the food chain than they have been for decades.
Anything said that draws attention to those who make decisions above the manager but are not willing to take the flak when it goes wrong is seen as unacceptable.
Most United fans will not weep at his departure, just at the state of a club that might just have shot itself in the foot once again.
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Burnley v Manchester United (20:15 GMT)
If you’ve been living under a rock the last few days then you might have missed the huge news that came out of Old Trafford on Monday - Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties as Manchester United head coach.
We’ll be bringing you the full quotes from interim head coach Darren Fletcher as he preview's the side's trip to Burnley tomorrow night.
Before that though, let's look at how the situation reached this point...
From Fantasy Premier League to the real deal, let’s head over to Carrington where the media is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 14 | 26 | 48 |
| |
| 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 44 | 18 | 26 | 42 |
| |
| 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 42 |
| |
| 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 34 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 31 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 31 |
| |
| 20 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 30 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 30 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 29 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 28 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 28 | 29 | -1 | 28 |
| |
| 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 28 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 27 |
| |
| 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 27 |
| |
| 20 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 31 | 38 | -7 | 23 |
| |
| 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 26 | 33 | -7 | 22 |
| |
| 21 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 21 | 34 | -13 | 21 |
| |
| 21 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 22 | 43 | -21 | 14 |
| |
| 20 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 20 | 39 | -19 | 12 |
| |
| 20 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 14 | 40 | -26 | 6 |
|
