At 17, Jack Fletcher is already grabbing headlines for his game-winning accolades with Manchester United.
The teenager, son of the beloved Darren – a 13-season veteran of the club – arrived on the Red side of Manchester following his transfer from their city rivals in July 2023.
Making the move alongside his twin brother, Tyler, the pair cost a combined fee of £1.25 Million, bringing a reputation as a highly-ambitious duo with the ability to earn senior status at the club.
A little over 12 months on, Jack has caught the headlines following a notable debut campaign in the academy and a sensational brace in a comeback victory against Barnsley in the EFL trophy.
Catching the eye of the boss
Born March 19, 2007, the talented midfielder spent nine years in the City academy with his brother.
Upon arriving at the home of the 20-time English champions, the pair set out to craft an immediate reaction from the coaching staff, catching the eye of Erik ten Hag within a matter of weeks.
He made 14 appearances across all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign, contributing a goal and four assists. But his impact is felt far more in the heart of the midfield, dictating the play with his composure and notable technical ability.
His skill set was never more evident than during a dominating Under-18’s 5-1 victory against Southampton in November – displaying his entire arsenal during a commanding display.
This earned immediate reward, with Ten Hag including the teenager in first-team sessions before a Champions League meeting with Galatasaray.
Carrington sources close to the Theatre of Red have confirmed that the Dutchman views the midfielder as a significant talent and is keen to facilitate a specific training plan to aid his physical development.
An undeniable ability to succeed
When considering Jack as a player, it is easy to manifest comparisons with his father. While he possesses similar traits – build, engine and tenacity, for example – the youngster has far greater ball-playing potential.
He is a technically beautiful player with notable control and a passing range beyond his years.
Furthermore, he enjoys collecting possessions from deep and utilises a press-resistant stance to accommodate transitions. Similarly to Michael Carrick, he dictates the tempo of the play and emphasises his vision with each passage.
Much like another United fan in Cole Palmer, he oozes confidence in ball carrying and can often appear lanky or awkward in his movement. But his natural confidence shines through his decision-making.
When introduced for the Under 21s after 57 minutes of their EFL trophy encounter with League One side Barnsley, United trailed by two goals to nil.
Within minutes, he began dictating affairs and ultimately inspired his side to a memorable victory with a three-minute brace in the dying minutes – his first worthy of winning any game in any competition.
Inevitably, he opened the scoring against Stoke City three days later after ten minutes, setting the stall for an emphatic four-goals-to-one victory.
As I regularly say, nothing is guaranteed when teenagers jump to senior status, but with Jack Fletcher – Manchester United has a player who has the potential to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Time will tell whether he can continue his magnificent growth.
Let us know how you feel about the midfielder in the comments or across our social channels.
Recent Posts
- Theatre of Red official podcast | Episode 32 | Stanley Chow
- A scapegoating circus | Rasmus Hojlund and Manchester United
- Manchester United 0-2 Newcastle | Five Talking Points
