Fletcher Stresses FA Cup Fight: No Ratcliffe Talk Yet, United Must Chase Glory

Path to FA Cup Glory Under Fletcher

Darren Fletcher, Manchester United's interim manager, spoke ahead of Sunday's FA Cup clash with Brighton, outlining priorities during this transitional period.

On Kobbie Mainoo: "He looks good. Mainoo is one of those players who rarely reveals what he's thinking, so you can't tell just by looking. He trains well and feels comfortable in our environment."

On Harry Maguire's return: "He has been out for a while. We're monitoring his load; when players come back from injury, minutes are allocated carefully. We'll manage his return gradually in match play."

On the academy: "The club was built on its academy. We have talented youngsters, and there's a lot of hard work from young players who are still learning."

On communications with Sir Jim Ratcliffe: "I haven't spoken to him. I talk with Omar Barada and Jason Wilcox; that's how our process works. My focus is on the task at hand."

On Mazraoui and Mbembo's AFCON exits: "I don't think they will be back in time for the game; the window is too tight. We'll rely on the same squad that faced Burnley."

On results and confidence: "It's about communicating with players, outlining what to expect, and dealing with disappointment during matches. We reviewed the Burnley game and focused on key details. Handling frustration is everything in football."

On the FA Cup: "It's a big trophy, and Manchester United exists to win cups. We recently had success in this competition—winning it two years ago and losing the final last year. It remains a special trophy and the one we must chase with full commitment this season."

Punchline: If patience were a player, Fletcher would be signing him to a lifetime contract.

Punchline 2: United chasing the FA Cup like a Wi‑Fi signal—strong in the stands, patchy in Europe, but still craving a trophy cameo on Sunday.