Fletcher praise from Man Utd academy chief Torpey

New Manchester United head of academy Stephen Torpey has heaped praise on current Under-18 coach Darren Fletcher.

The former United and Scotland midfielder took over following the exit of Adam Lawrence at the end of last season, after twin sons Jack and Tyler had moved out of the age group.

Fletcher has guided United to second spot in the Premier League North table and into the Premier League Under-18 cup final, where they will face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next month. On Wednesday, they will attempt to beat Sunderland at Old Trafford to book an FA Youth Cup semi-final meeting with Palace, also next month.

In addition, Fletcher stepped in for two games as interim boss of the senior team following Ruben Amorim's dismissal in January.

Torpey said: "I've known Darren for years and he's always come across as a really amazing and clever guy, studious in terms of football and obviously passionate about the game and Manchester United in particular.

"He's a real leader at the club."

Fletcher made 342 appearances across a 12-year stint at United, before joining West Brom and then ending his career at Stoke.

He has had a number of roles at United, but his ambition has always been to coach and was keen to step back into the Under-18 fold rather than stay within the senior group when former team-mate Michael Carrick was appointed to the end of the season.

"Darren's on his own journey now in terms of developing himself as a future head coach," said Torpey.

"Working in the Under-18s has given him the opportunity to learn and evolve as a person and a coach or tactician, whatever that area would be.

"He's been superb. It's great to have someone who's a club legend with us in the academy. The boys are the ones benefiting from that."