Exclusive: Darren Fletcher urges Manchester United players to ‘prove people wrong’ in crunch FA Cup tie with Brighton

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Darren Fletcher will lead Manchester United out at Old Trafford on Sunday when they face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Emirates FA Cup third round, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Speaking ahead of the game, the interim boss urged his players to "prove people wrong" and explained why he will be the "proudest man in the world" when he takes charge of his first - and likely last - home game.

Fletcher on Man Utd players: I have challenged them to take responsibility

Video credit: TNT Sports

Manchester United interim manager Darren Fletcher has urged his players to puff their chests out and "prove people wrong" ahead of Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.

The former Red Devils and Scotland midfielder has taken temporary charge of the side in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal last week and was in the dugout for a 2-2 draw away to Burnley on Wednesday.

Amorim’s exit came with the club outside the top four in the Premier League and without European football following last season’s 15th-place finish, and left United searching for their seventh permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

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Fletcher: Basics of the game are non-negotiable

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Fletcher spent the majority of his playing career working under Ferguson and enjoyed huge success, winning five league titles, the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Champions League in Manchester.

Speaking to his former Red Devils team-mate Owen Hargreaves in an exclusive interview ahead of Sunday’s clash with Brighton, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Fletcher explained how he hopes to bring some of the mentality of that side to the current crop of United stars.

"We were very fortunate to have Sir Alex and senior players. We had that domino effect of senior players who move on and the next ones have learned from them, who then move on," Fletcher said.

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"We had that cycle constantly that Sir Alex created through all his teams. He knew how to do that; the next generation learned from the ones before. But that takes time, you have to build that and grow that from within.

"Without doubt, in difficult times, the players have to step up and take on that challenge even more. Stick your shoulders out – "I play for Manchester United" – look at that badge on your chest.

"Be really proud. You’re here for a reason, because you’re a good player. Stick your chest out in adversity and go and prove people wrong. Deal with all the disappointment and frustration and prove people wrong."

United head into Sunday’s cup clash on the back of three consecutive draws against Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley, and have a local derby against Manchester City coming up after the visit of Brighton.

With a variety of challenges around the corner, Fletcher highlighted another key attribute of the all-conquering side he played for.

"We had a mindset that if you want a football match, we will try and outplay you. But if you want a fight, we’ll outfight you. If you want to run, we’ll outrun you," Fletcher said.

"We would be comfortable playing the game and finding a way to win that certain game. Most of the time it was us going at them and being direct and aggressive with slick passing, but sometimes we weren’t afraid to come behind the game, sit, absorb pressure, be patient, and hit teams on the break.

"It’s finding that way to win and that adaptability to do that, go direct at times if you need to. I think we’re seeing that a lot more in football generally now, more long balls and direct play. The game is evolving constantly, so you just have to be ahead of the cycle and look at the next trends and what might be coming."

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'Proudest man in the world'

Fletcher is unlikely to lead United beyond Sunday’s cup clash, with reports suggesting Michael Carrick or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could take interim charge from next week.

The Scot was promoted from his role as Under-18s coach and his future remains unclear, but he is focusing on enjoying the moment when he leads the team out at Old Trafford.

"I think I’m going to be the proudest man in the world, just to have that honour to walk out there, to lead the players that I love, to be in that stadium with fans I think are amazing and who have been unbelievable in difficult circumstances," Fletcher said.

"The FA Cup is the first trophy I won here. I won it a couple of years ago as part of the coaching staff. It’s an amazing competition. With the team not being in Europe, it’s important we give our all to try and win this, because the fans and the players deserve it.

"But it’s a very difficult game, Brighton are a very good team. They are well coached, they know exactly what they’re doing. They are one of the best in possession teams in the league.

"Out of possession they are good as well but they know their patterns, their connections, they know what the opposition are going to do. We’re going to have to be patient at times, well drilled, it’s going to be a really difficult game but a great challenge for me and the players."

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