Fletcher gives plan for Man Utd academy to 'showcase talent like Shea Lacey'

Darren Fletcher says Manchester United have some "amazing" talent in the academy which he wants to see "showcased" in the first team.

The former Reds midfielder was in charge of the U18s before he was called up to take temporary charge of the first team following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

And he is keen to give the youngsters a chance as he showed by bringing on Shea Lacey against Burnley on Monday and he hit the crossbar with a devastating left-foot shot.

"So, all I can say is my workings with those players as individuals, and, in general throughout the academy, I deal with hard-working, honest, coachable, super-talented kids," Fletcher told a press conference.

"We've got a lot of talent in our academy, and hopefully they can showcase themselves like Shea did when he came on against Burnley and was so close to scoring a fantastic goal.”

United's history has been based on developing its own youth with no better example than the Busby Babes on the Class of 92, which was emphasised by Fletcher.

“I just think, historically, this club's built around the academy, we've got an amazing academy. Our record speaks for itself. I'm not going to sit here and say anything other than that," said Fletcher.

"We've got an amazing record. I think it's hard to beat in terms of the history of clubs around the world. I think we've got some amazing players, some amazing talents.

"I think what I see is a lot of hard-working, humble young players, who aren't perfect, because they're young and they're learning and they've got a lot to do."

He also pointed out that the young players need to be given time.

"I think we ask and expect too much of young people sometimes - in society and in general. And that's not a criticism of anybody, that's just my beliefs," he said.

"I think we have to let them learn, educate them, help them, understand they're going to make mistakes, and they're going to do things that'll frustrate you.

"But through time with good guidance of coaches, family members, players in the first-team squad, all of us play a part. That's our role, that's our jobs, of developing them to be Manchester United players and Manchester United people."