Jack Fletcher, the son of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, has been named in the squad to London for Saturday afternoon’s match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 18-year-old is yet to make his senior debut, but his inclusion in the matchday squad comes amid Kobbie Mainoo’s absence through injury.
Fletcher’s place on the bench preserves one of United’s longest-standing traditions. By being involved, he ensures that the club extends its run of naming at least one academy graduate in every first-team squad, a record that now stretches to 4,332 consecutive matches dating back to October 1937.
That sequence began when Tom Manley and Jack Wassall featured in a league match against Fulham.
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For the past month, Mainoo has been the sole academy representative in Ruben Amorim’s squads, with veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton no longer regularly involved following the arrival of Senne Lammens.
Fletcher’s selection, therefore, maintains a link that the club has consistently highlighted as central to its identity.
Amorim has spoken publicly about the importance of the academy, saying earlier in the season: “We want to maintain that. I don’t want to be the guy to break that record. If you see the past of Manchester United, it’s built on kids who grow up here. I think that should be our goal in the future.”
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Jack Fletcher, the son of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher, has been named in the squad to London for Saturday afternoon’s match against Tottenham Hotspur
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Jack Fletcher joined United from Manchester City in July 2023, signing alongside his twin brother Tyler in a joint deal worth around £1.25million.
A left-footed midfielder known for his technique and passing range, Jack has been capped by England at youth level, while Tyler represents Scotland.
Jack has recently been named in the England Under-19 squad for European Championship qualifiers in Lithuania, where he could potentially face his twin on the opposite side.
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His father, Darren, enjoyed a distinguished career at Old Trafford after emerging from United’s youth system.
He made over 340 appearances for the club between 2003 and 2015 and won six Premier League titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League in 2008 and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Known for his tactical awareness and work rate in midfield, Fletcher became a trusted figure under Sir Alex Ferguson in some of the club’s biggest matches. He now serves as United’s Under-18s head coach, returning to help shape the next generation of academy talent.
The inclusion of Jack comes at a time of broader scrutiny over United’s youth development.
INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe said last month that the academy had “slipped” in recent years, stressing the need for a steady supply of homegrown players both for identity and sustainability.
Several recent academy graduates have left in search of opportunities: Marcus Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona, Alejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea in the summer, and Scott McTominay has been a success at Napoli following his £26million move.
Darren Fletcher became a club legend during his time at Manchester United
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Mainoo’s injury situation forms part of that wider picture.
The 20-year-old has yet to start a Premier League match this season and was not selected in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, prompting concern that his progress has stalled.
Two months ago, a request for a loan move was denied, and he now faces a challenge to regain his place in Amorim’s preferred midfield structure of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
For now, the focus shifts to Tottenham, where the Red Devils will be hoping to continue their resurgence after three victories from their last four league matches.