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Michael Carrick will look to Manchester United to try and win the FA Youth Cup – and that will only motivate them, says Darren Fletcher.
Carrick has featured in a number of academy games since replacing Ruben Amorim as head coach in January.
As far as Fletcher is concerned, it’s proof that the boss cares about youth development.
Fletcher hopes to finish his first season as United Under-18s coach by guiding them to a record 12th FA Youth Cup when they travel to Manchester City.
Carrick expressed his disappointment that Thursday’s final will be held at the 6,000-capacity Joey Stadium instead of a larger venue.
But there he will be, at the same venue he watched United’s Under-21 side beat City in their Premier League 2 play-off semi-final on 8 May.
His son Jesse is part of the academy, but has not been involved in the Youth Cup run.
Former Scotland midfielder Fletcher – who himself joined United as a 15-year-old – knows the players will be lifted by Carrick’s presence.
“All players love it when they have a first-team manager,” he said.
“It shows that he cares and he’s looking into it. It motivates them.
“It certainly shows them that this is a club that cares about young players and doesn’t just talk about it.
“It’s been throughout the history of the club, but it really comes to life when you see it in action. It’s powerful and the parents love it.”
Fletcher had the option of becoming part of Carrick’s coaching team after taking charge of the senior side for two games in the interim following Amorim’s sacking in January.
He preferred to return to the role he was given at the start of the season, the first step in what he hopes will be a career in management.
Fletcher said he enjoyed working with United’s young players and was thrilled by their willingness to develop and learn.
Long gone are the days of apprentices cleaning the boots of senior players. But they still get the job of instilling discipline and a team ethic.
“It’s not cleaning boots, it’s things like getting balls out or putting tools back,” he said. “Meeting room chairs are properly placed, water bottles are filled.
“They’re all on a rota. Everyone brings something from the bus, even the coaches.
“It’s not to punish them, it’s to make sure everything is clean. We bring stuff out and we put it away, to show that we’re all in this together.”
