Manchester United have secured special dispensation from the Premier League to hold Darren Fletcher's inaugural press conference at 5pm this afternoon, circumventing the standard requirement for media briefings to conclude by 1:30pm ahead of midweek fixtures.
The 41-year-old former United midfielder has assumed temporary control of first-team affairs at Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim's dismissal from the managerial post.
Fletcher will address journalists at Carrington later today, where questions surrounding Amorim's exit and the Scot's own aspirations in the interim position are expected to dominate proceedings.
The unusual timing was approved after the club requested a delay to the customary schedule.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Fletcher took charge of the under-18 squad in July after serving as a coach for Erik ten Hag, Amorim's predecessor in the Old Trafford dugout.
His first duty in the interim role came on Monday when he led training, with reports suggesting a positive atmosphere among the playing staff despite the recent upheaval.
The Scot is working alongside Travis Binnion, who oversees United's under-21 side, as the pair prepare the squad for Wednesday's trip to Turf Moor.
Manchester United have secured special dispensation from the Premier League to hold Darren Fletcher's inaugural press conference at 5pm this afternoon, circumventing the standard requirement for media briefings to conclude by 1:30pm ahead of midweek fixtures
|GETTY
Fletcher has no prior experience managing at senior level, though his familiarity with the club's structures and personnel provides continuity during this transitional period.
Scott Parker's Burnley await in the Championship side's first meeting with United since their relegation, though the fixture is unlikely to be the primary focus of discussion at today's briefing.
Fletcher has been handed responsibility for both the midweek encounter and Sunday's FA Cup third-round clash against Brighton at Old Trafford.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Ex-England star reveals time in 'Muslim-orientated city' contributed to drug addiction which 'destroyed relationship with kids'
- Anthony Joshua 'has retired from boxing' after devastating car crash that killed two close friends
- Ruben Amorim 'squared up to Man Utd star in explosive training ground row' before being sacked
Darren Fletcher (pictured right) became a cult hero at Manchester United during his playing days
| PABeyond these two matches, the club hierarchy are weighing up whether to install a caretaker manager for the remainder of the campaign, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer emerging as a leading candidate for the role.
Fletcher previously worked under the Norwegian as part of his coaching setup in 2021.
Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018, but was axed after nearly three years in the role with a 4-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road ultimately proving fatal.
Should results prove favourable, United's leadership may opt to retain Fletcher beyond the initial two fixtures, potentially including the Manchester derby scheduled for later this month.
The interim boss has long harboured ambitions of occupying the Old Trafford hot seat permanently.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Manchester United in 2021 but could make a stunning return
| PA"When I take my first steps on the management ladder, the goal is to become Manchester United manager because that's the pinnacle for me," Fletcher stated on the UTD Podcast in 2019.
"Nothing tops that, nothing's bigger."
Meanwhile, the board intends to use the coming months to identify a permanent successor.
Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola and Fulham's Marco Silva all reportedly under consideration as their contracts expire in June.