Darren Fletcher has disclosed that he sought Sir Alex Ferguson’s approval before accepting the managerial role at Manchester United.
Fletcher was appointed as caretaker manager after the decision to dismiss head coach Ruben Amorim on Monday.
The former midfielder made his debut for United in 2003 under Ferguson, who celebrated his 84th birthday on New Year’s Eve, and went on to secure five Premier League titles during his time with the iconic manager.
“I prefer not to make significant decisions without consulting Sir Alex,” Fletcher stated.
“I have a strong relationship with him; he’s typically the first person I call. I wanted to discuss this with him and, to be honest, I sought his blessing.
“He deserves that respect, and I wanted to know his thoughts. He was very supportive of my decision.”
Fletcher’s first match in charge will be against Burnley on Wednesday.
At 41 years old, he has transitioned from managing United’s under-18 squad, who typically employ a back four.
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While Fletcher refrained from confirming an imminent tactical shift at Turf Moor, he suggested he is inclined to move away from Amorim’s back three as soon as possible.
“We’re not certain yet, and I can’t reveal that,” Fletcher mentioned.
“Regarding the under-18s, the style and system we use are what the club believes is most beneficial for player development. Winning games is important, but primarily we aim to develop players, and that formation aligns well with that objective. It’s a system I’m quite familiar with as well.”