Fletcher appointed first-team coach by Manchester United

Fletcher was with United for 20 years as an Academy and first-team player

Fletcher was with United for 20 years as an Academy and first-team player

FORMER Manchester United player Darren Fletcher has been appointed as a first-team coach by the club.

The 36-year-old made more than 340 first-team appearances for the club between 2003 and 2015 after coming through their Academy.

He fills the slot in United’s backroom staff vacated by Mark Dempsey, who, as TGG revealed last month, has switched to a new role with the club’s Academy.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has two assistants - Mike Phelan and Martyn Pert - and two other first-team coaches, in Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna.

Fletcher, who has been coaching United’s Under-16s since October, said: “I am delighted to be returning to the club as a first-team coach. It’s a very exciting time for this young team and I am looking forward to taking the next steps in my coaching career by working with Ole and his staff.”

Solskjaer added: “Darren has the United DNA running through his veins and he knows exactly what it takes to be a Manchester United player.

“He is at the start of his coaching career and his experience both on and off the pitch along with his winning mentality, commitment and hard work will be a great addition to the staff.”

As a player, Fletcher won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as winning 80 caps for Scotland.

Solskjaer already has several other former United players on his backroom staff in Phelan, Carrick, Nicky Butt (Head of Player Development) and Michael Clegg (strength & power coach).

Earlier today United announced that they had appointed Robin Sadler as Head of Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy.

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