DARREN FLETCHER has entered the running to become Manchester United caretaker manager if Ruben Amorim is axed.
Pressure is mounting on the Red Devils boss although he is not understood to be close to the sack.
United have not lined up candidates to replace him like they did with Erik ten Hag, and they would have to pay the Portuguese £12MILLION in compensation if they sack him before November.
But if results do not improve Amorim could be let go at some point during the season, leading to the possibility of a caretaker manager.
Former player Michael Carrick has fulfilled that role in the past, but he landed a new role with Uefa, acting as technical observer for the Champions League game between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this week.
So United could look internally with another former midfielder Fletcher pulling up trees in the academy.
He was appointed Under-18s boss in the summer with his midfielder sons Tyler and Jack bumped up to the U21s.
Fletcher, 41, has impressed behind the scenes at Carrington, instilling United DNA to his academy side, with quick attacks, fast wingers and a variety of goals this season.
United figures have been dazzled by Fletcher’s work ethic and are convinced that the Scot is destined to become a top manager.
Fletcher went straight back to work days after having surgery on his knee after suffering cartilage damage during the United Legends game against Celtic Legends in early September.
His U18s play excellent football and are early title contenders, despite the side being very young, with 14-year-old JJ Gabriel the star of the team.
Fletcher’s side didn’t concede a single goal in their opening six games before Manchester City handed them their first defeat of the season with a 4-2 win last time out.
Other coaches linked with the United job include Premier League bosses Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola and Fabian Hurzeler.
One other candidate SunSport has exclusively revealed is former England manager Gareth Southgate.
However, the 55-year-old is said to hold major reservations over whether he would take the job due to concerns he would not be given the time to turn the club around.
