Man Utd announce move as Ruben Amorim loses key man

Manchester United have announced the appointment of Darren Fletcher as the club's new Under-18 lead coach following the departure of Adam Lawrence. Fletcher was a crucial member of Ruben Amorim's first-team coaching set-up, but he has now relocated and will be in charge of developing young talent at Carrington.

United confirmed Lawrence's departure in May, ending two impressive years as lead coach after making the step up from the Under-16s. Now, Fletcher has left his senior responsibilities to take on the mantle and manage another ultra-talented pool of players emerging from the ranks.

"I am really excited to take on this new role and increase my responsibility to directly develop our young players," Fletcher said after his appointment.

"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."

United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, added: "We are delighted that Darren will lead our Under-18s group.

"He knows exactly what it takes to be a successful Academy graduate and has played a key role in shaping the pathway for so many of our young players in recent years.

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"Darren's excellent relationships across the entire staff will only increase the strong connection between the Academy and first team, further enhancing our ability to produce world-class players ready to excel at Manchester United."

Fletcher enjoyed an immensely successful spell at United as a player, making 342 appearances across 20 years.

An academy graduate himself, the Scotsman lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.

Fletcher has started in the role with immediate effect, helming the start of the U18s' pre-season with a training camp at the adidas global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

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He also took charge of the first fixture of the pre-season calendar, an 8-2 victory against Queen's Park Rangers earlier this month.

Jay McEvoy, Louie Bradbury, Amir Ibragimov, and JJ Gabriel, the 14-year-old wonderkid nicknamed Kid Messi, scored the first-half goals.

Gabriel, who recently committed his future to Old Trafford, is among the abundance of talent that Fletcher has inherited in the U18s.

In the second half, Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher scored twice, adding to Bakirou Nkoto and Douka Nkoto's strikes.