News

Fletcher’s focus solely on Man Utd FA Cup tie

Getty Images

Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher says he has had no talks about his future and his focus has solely been on the FA Cup third round tie with Brighton.

Fletcher was put in temporary charge for two games following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

United are expected to then have a caretaker in charge for the remainder of the campaign, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick regarded as the leading candidates.

It has not been established whether Fletcher will remain as part of the first-team set-up or if he will return to his previous job as United’s under-18s coach.

The former United and Scotland midfielder confirmed he had not spoken to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe since Amorim’s exit, and there have been no discussions either with chief executive Omar Berrada or director of football Jason Wilcox about what happens after the Brighton game.

“There have been no thoughts or conversations over my future,” he said.

“I speak to Omar and Jason, that’s how the process works.

“They have given me full responsibility to take control of these two games, to make my own decisions, to lead the team, guide the team and prepare the team. That’s what I’ve been doing.

“I’ve been focusing on the job at hand and preparing the team for these two games.”

Fletcher defends Man Utd academy

For the first time, Fletcher addressed Amorim’s criticisms of United’s academy.

Aside from the fact he did not start any academy-produced player in a Premier League game this season, Amorim did not show any sign he had faith in the players it had produced.

In addition, he angered United officials by singling out Harry Amass – whose loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday has now come to an end – and striker Chido Obi for criticism.

Amorim also said he detected a sense of entitlement among United’s young players.

As someone who was himself developed by the club, has previously held the position of technical director and up to this week has been responsible for their under-18s players, Fletcher brought Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey on at Turf Moor.

On only his second senior appearance, 18-year-old Lacey nearly won the game with a curling effort from 20 yards that came back off the crossbar.

“Historically, this club is built around the academy,” said Fletcher. “Our record speaks for itself.

“We’ve got some amazing talent and what I see is a lot of hardworking, humble young players, honest and coachable, who aren’t perfect because they’re young and they’re learning.

“We ask too much of young people in society at times. We have to let them learn – educate them, help them and understand they will make mistakes.

Related topics

  • Manchester United
  • Football

More on this story

  • Manchester United bench
  • Ask Me Anything logo

Fletcher’s focus solely on Man Utd FA Cup tie

Getty Images

Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher says he has had no talks about his future and his focus has solely been on the FA Cup third round tie with Brighton.

Fletcher was put in temporary charge for two games following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

United are expected to then have a caretaker in charge for the remainder of the campaign, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick regarded as the leading candidates.

It has not been established whether Fletcher will remain as part of the first-team set-up or if he will return to his previous job as United’s under-18s coach.

The former United and Scotland midfielder confirmed he had not spoken to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe since Amorim’s exit, and there have been no discussions either with chief executive Omar Berrada or director of football Jason Wilcox about what happens after the Brighton game.

“There have been no thoughts or conversations over my future,” he said.

“I speak to Omar and Jason, that’s how the process works.

“They have given me full responsibility to take control of these two games, to make my own decisions, to lead the team, guide the team and prepare the team. That’s what I’ve been doing.

“I’ve been focusing on the job at hand and preparing the team for these two games.”

Fletcher defends Man Utd academy

For the first time, Fletcher addressed Amorim’s criticisms of United’s academy.

Aside from the fact he did not start any academy-produced player in a Premier League game this season, Amorim did not show any sign he had faith in the players it had produced.

In addition, he angered United officials by singling out Harry Amass – whose loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday has now come to an end – and striker Chido Obi for criticism.

Amorim also said he detected a sense of entitlement among United’s young players.

As someone who was himself developed by the club, has previously held the position of technical director and up to this week has been responsible for their under-18s players, Fletcher brought Kobbie Mainoo and Shea Lacey on at Turf Moor.

On only his second senior appearance, 18-year-old Lacey nearly won the game with a curling effort from 20 yards that came back off the crossbar.

“Historically, this club is built around the academy,” said Fletcher. “Our record speaks for itself.

“We’ve got some amazing talent and what I see is a lot of hardworking, humble young players, honest and coachable, who aren’t perfect because they’re young and they’re learning.

“We ask too much of young people in society at times. We have to let them learn – educate them, help them and understand they will make mistakes.

Related topics

  • Manchester United
  • Football

More on this story

  • Manchester United bench
  • Ask Me Anything logo

‘Kate Middleton’s openness about cancer journey says everything about future Queen’

https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article36527829.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_Prince-and-Princess-of-Wales-visit-to-Charing-Cross-Hospital.jpg

On her 44th birthday, the Princess of Wales issued a poignant message about how she is healing, both physically and emotionally, from her cancer battle, with her openness inspiring others facing the same diagnosis

The Princess of Wales’s decision to speak about her journey of recovery and the emotions faced with her own mortality is a watershed moment for our future queen. Throughout her cancer battle, she gave hope to the thousands who are dealt a diagnosis each day and to their loved ones who walk along the path with them.

Kate’s message when she was first diagnosed that “you are not alone” resonated with so many, and her openness in discussing her plight and ways in which she faced it – much like those King Charles facing – have been credited with helping people seek advice, treatment and ways to process.

READ MORE: Kate Middleton leaves fans stunned after ‘humble’ moment with William on surprise visitREAD MORE: King Charles may have to ‘use Portaloo on grass’ during US visit admits Trump official

On her 44th birthday, a year after announcing she was fortunately in remission from the disease, the princess spoke of the depths of emotions she has felt in coming to terms with the initial sadness and eventual fight that lay at her door.

The princess has heralded the natural world and discovering her place within it, as being key to her own journey and now wants to help others discover similar solace. During the lonely and dark days of cancer treatment, the Princess of Wales may have wondered whether there would be a time when she would be free of the disease.

She will have thought about her three children, her husband Prince William and her wider family – but her thoughts have also been on how she could use her experience to help others.

Kate promised to stand shoulder to shoulder with those that are dealt such a hand. And just as she spoke of nature being “a quiet teacher and a soft voice that guides”, royal sources suggest this is the path she will now set upon in her future duties.

It is clear this experience has been an absorbing one for the princess. Just weeks after the King revealed his own cancer diagnosis in February 2024, for which he is still receiving treatment for, Kate announced to the world that she had also been diagnosed with the disease.

Such a series of unprecedented events created a sense of shock and worry throughout the palace. With two such senior figures away from royal duties for an unknown amount of time, just how would the institution continue to function? Yet, the family rallied and allowed them to receive care and recover, undoubtedly changing the path of how the monarchy would develop in the future.

Article continues below

Such transformative experiences for the King and Princess of Wales have helped to shape their view on what their roles really mature to. Openness and vulnerability have not historically been emotions that typified the royal family, but times have changed.

The Princess of Wales certainly wishes to be at the forefront of that change and – as we have seen with her visits to hospitals and vision on wellbeing and recovery – will continue to use her own experience to help others in their darkest hour.

Oxford United appoint Bloomfield as new head coach

Oxford United FC
  • 7 Comments

Oxford United have appointed Matt Bloomfield as their new head coach.

The 41-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked as Luton boss in October and replaces Gary Rowett who was dismissed on 23 December following a run of one win in 10 matches.

The U’s are currently 23rd in the Championship, three points adrift of safety.

Bloomfield will watch Friday’s FA Cup third round tie at MK Dons, with interim manager Craig Short remaining in the dugout, before taking the reins next week before the visit of Bristol City on 17 January.

A decision on Bloomfield’s coaching staff will be made in due course an Oxford statement said, while the club have not disclosed the length of his deal.

“I want my teams to work hard, attack with purpose and play with a clear identity,” Bloomfield added.

Bloomfield began his managerial career at Colchester United before taking over from Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe Wanderers in 2023.

After leading the Chairboys to the League One automatic promotion places amid the challenge of big-spending Birmingham City and Wrexham last season, he left the club to take over at Luton in January.

But Bloomfield was unable to prevent the Hatters from suffering back-to-back relegations to the third tier and was dismissed after an underwhelming start to the season, with the club 11th in the table.

The club have already added two new players to their squad in January, with midfielder Jamie Donley, 20, arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the rest of the season, and Brentford’s Myles Peart-Harris also signing a short-term deal.

The U’s play four league games – against Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City and Birmingham City – inside 15 days later this month.

“Matt stood out for his attention to detail, work ethic and his strong belief in building success the right way. He is a coach with a very clear idea of how he wants his teams to play,” said Oxford’s head of football operations Ed Waldron.

Related topics

  • Oxford United
  • Championship
  • Football

More on this story

  • Oxford United crest on a corner flag

Oxford United appoint Bloomfield as new head coach

Oxford United FC
  • 7 Comments

Oxford United have appointed Matt Bloomfield as their new head coach.

The 41-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked as Luton boss in October and replaces Gary Rowett who was dismissed on 23 December following a run of one win in 10 matches.

The U’s are currently 23rd in the Championship, three points adrift of safety.

Bloomfield will watch Friday’s FA Cup third round tie at MK Dons, with interim manager Craig Short remaining in the dugout, before taking the reins next week before the visit of Bristol City on 17 January.

A decision on Bloomfield’s coaching staff will be made in due course an Oxford statement said, while the club have not disclosed the length of his deal.

“I want my teams to work hard, attack with purpose and play with a clear identity,” Bloomfield added.

Bloomfield began his managerial career at Colchester United before taking over from Gareth Ainsworth at Wycombe Wanderers in 2023.

After leading the Chairboys to the League One automatic promotion places amid the challenge of big-spending Birmingham City and Wrexham last season, he left the club to take over at Luton in January.

But Bloomfield was unable to prevent the Hatters from suffering back-to-back relegations to the third tier and was dismissed after an underwhelming start to the season, with the club 11th in the table.

The club have already added two new players to their squad in January, with midfielder Jamie Donley, 20, arriving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the rest of the season, and Brentford’s Myles Peart-Harris also signing a short-term deal.

The U’s play four league games – against Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City and Birmingham City – inside 15 days later this month.

“Matt stood out for his attention to detail, work ethic and his strong belief in building success the right way. He is a coach with a very clear idea of how he wants his teams to play,” said Oxford’s head of football operations Ed Waldron.

Related topics

  • Oxford United
  • Championship
  • Football

More on this story

  • Oxford United crest on a corner flag