Ipswich Town: Kieran McKenna 2.0 might be about to reveal himself at Man United | OneFootball

Darren Fletcher could follow a similar path to Kieran McKenna with Man United caretaker role

Darren Fletcher could reveal himself as a capable coach like Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna with his caretaker role at Manchester United.

It was confirmed on Monday morning that the Scot will take over the first team squad at Old Trafford following the club’s decision to dismiss Ruben Amorim.

It’s been reported that it could be until the summer before a permanent replacement is named, meaning Fletcher could oversee the remainder of the campaign.

This will be the former midfielder’s first step up to senior management, with his previous experience coming as the Manchester outfit’s U18s coach.

While it remains to be seen how he will fare in such a big role, the potential is now there for him to follow a similar trajectory as McKenna at Ipswich, or even his former teammate Michael Carrick, who spent two-and-a-half years at Middlesbrough.

McKenna and Carrick both took significant steps forward in their coaching career at Man United before becoming well-regarded managers in their own right.

Darren Fletcher’s opportunity to become Kieran McKenna 2.0

Fletcher has earned a reputation as a promising coach at Man United, and now he will have the ultimate opportunity to showcase his quality by replacing Amorim temporarily.

His first game in charge will come against 19th place Burnley, which will give him a chance to make a strong first impression before league clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal.

Similarly to the 41-year-old, McKenna worked as an underage coach before taking the step-up to the first team squad at Old Trafford.

He oversaw the U21 team before he was promoted to Jose Mourinho’s staff, later becoming an assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

McKenna impressed the hierarchy at Man United during this time, but it was at Ipswich where he made the first step into his managerial career.

The platform he was given as an assistant proved a launching pad to a successful career as the main man in his own right.

Carrick enjoyed a similar trajectory, as he worked as part of this coaching setup under Solskjaer as well.

While the former England international hasn’t quite reached the same heights as McKenna, he is still a well-respected Championship coach, and it surely won’t be too much longer before he is back in the dugout after departing the Riverside last summer.

Kieran McKenna’s rise could lead to Man United return

Fletcher has the opportunity to launch his own managerial career with a successful stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford.

He can take inspiration from McKenna, whose success away from the Premier League side could yet bring him back as Amorim’s permanent replacement.

It has been claimed that the Northern Irishman is still on the Red Devils’ radar after he was initially discussed as a possible appointment during Erik ten Hag’s reign in charge.

Ipswich will be hoping that Man United don’t firm up their interest in the 39-year-old, but he could find himself on the shortlist of candidates given how well he’s done at Portman Road.

McKenna’s attacking style of football, and his history with the Premier League club could make him a suitable coach to take over from Amorim.

It would be a full circle moment for his career, and there would be no begrudging the move from Ipswich if it did come to fruition, no matter how big of a loss it would be.

With Fletcher now stepping into a caretaker role at Old Trafford, it would also be inspirational for him if he embarked on a managerial career after a permanent appointment is made.