Darren Fletcher warned Manchester United’s ‘fragile’ players to prove they deserve a future at the club after bowing out of the FA Cup against Brighton.
A 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, masterminded by former United striker Danny Welbeck, saw Brighton dump United out to set up the shortest number of games in a season for United in 111 years.
Fletcher has taken the last two games as interim but said he had had ‘no indication’ as to whether he will be involved going forward ahead of a decision being made by the hierarchy today/on Monday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick the two frontrunners after talks last week.
So in what could prove his final press conference in charge, Fletcher made it plain that players need to take responsibility for the ongoing failings at the club.
‘I think you could see the players are fragile but they've got to respond,’ Fletcher said.
‘Confidence is one of the most powerful things in football so when you don't have it, you have to dig deep and then the confidence comes back.
‘It's over to them, they need to make sure that they have got a lot to play for this season. This team is still good enough to achieve success this season but they have to dig deep.’
Fletcher was part of the backroom staff when United’s season nose-dived in the second half of the 2021-22 season. Yet, Fletcher believes this group is better equipped to avoid a similar fall off.
‘True character reveals itself in difficult times and we learned a lot about the players,’ he said.
‘It is the same with these lads now. Difficult times, true character is going to show and they are going to have to dig in, show they want to be part of Manchester United’s future, and learn from this.
‘Ultimately if you are not, I don’t think you should be here, and you won’t be here. It sounds strong but that’s just the reality and the way it should be.’
Fletcher was read many of the damning stats that are underpinning another season that is threatening to fall apart.
Rather than make concessions, Fletcher again put the onus on the players to drag themselves out of this mess and to secure Champions League football in a bid to salvage the season.
‘That is where we are at. We can’t hide behind that,’ he said of the shortest season since 1914-15.
‘We have to face that and deal with that. It is not Manchester United level or what is expected of Manchester United. Ultimately we have to do something about that.
‘We have to take a step forward by qualifying for the Champions League.
‘Champions League places is important for a lot of reasons. It is important for the players and attracting players it’s important.
‘I keep saying the players have to step up, they need to come together and they will. I’ll challenge them to do that because they’ve got enough leaders, experience and quality to do it.
‘Learn how to deal with setbacks of conceding goals, try and build confidence, and in doing that you have to grind out ways to win. It’s not always a pretty way, especially when you’re low on confidence and conceding goals. Sometimes you need to roll your sleeves up, work hard and come together as a team.’
For Brighton this was a first win over Manchester United in the FA Cup and key to the win was not just Welbeck’s display, but also quietening Old Trafford, according to Fabian Hurzeler.
‘That was the key,’ Hurzeler said.
‘In the beginning we were lucky they had a good chance. They pressed high man to man but we had good decisions in open play.
‘We scored the first goal and after we were better in the game.’
Wemairstz
9
idiot, why did you bench casemiro for urgate