How Tony Pulis’ spell at West Brom may inadvertently turn Man United into new beast under Darren Fletcher
West Brom may be set to play a huge role in Manchester United’s future.
Former West Brom star Darren Fletcher has been appointed as interim manager after Ruben Amorim was sacked by the Red Devils.
Fletcher has been promoted from his spell as Under-18s boss, and could even take the role until the end of the season.
If he manages to succeed at Old Trafford, then his time under Tony Pulis at The Hawthorns may be influential.
Why Fletcher’s time under Pulis at West Brom can help Man United
Ex-West Brom boss Pulis is often regarded as a defensive genius, and that may have rubbed off on his former captain in the Black Country.
Fletcher’s youth side at Carrington have conceded fewer goals than anyone in their division so far this season, with just 11 in 14 matches.
If he has the same philosophy with the first-team, staying solid at the back before anything else, the 20-time champions may have Albion to thank.
They are far too porous and easy to play against right now, and the former Scotland international may bring the experience he gained under Pulis, and tighten the ship.
What did Pulis say about Fletcher?
Pulis believes that the 41-year-old is his best ever signing in his management career, labelling him as a “top professional.”
Speaking on Express and Star’s Baggies Broadcast (5 September 2023), he said: “People ask me about players that I’ve worked with and people who have been an influence in the dressing room, at all the clubs, there was always big influences and I like strong characters.
“Fletch was brilliant. He’s a gentleman, a top, top, top professional and he leads by example. He’s not a shouter or a hollower but he knew the game. I spoke to Sir Alex [Ferguson] about him and he gave him such a great, great reference it was frightening.
“I don’t honestly think I signed a better player than Darren.”
That sums up Fletcher’s stint in the West Midlands, he was a steady character in the middle of the field, with a work rate that a manager would kill to have, and he almost never missed a game.
The Baggies could do with having a player like him now, and they may end up wishing they had a manager like him if he does well in the top-flight, in his interim spell with another one of his former clubs.
Ryan Mason’s reign is not going well, so if Fletcher is given the boot at the end of the campaign, despite a solid showing at the Theatre of Dreams, then Shilen Patel and Co. may have something to think about.