Manchester United has announced that midfielder Jack Fletcher will replace the injured Kobbie Mainoo for the Premier League match against Tottenham. This substitution maintains the club’s impressive 88-year tradition of including an academy product in every matchday squad.
Jack Fletcher’s Rise in the Academy
Kobbie Mainoo, aged 20, did not accompany the squad to London due to a minor injury. Meanwhile, Jack Fletcher, an 18-year-old midfielder and son of former United player Darren Fletcher, has joined the squad. Although he is yet to make his first team debut, Fletcher was part of the first team bench multiple times last season.
Background of Jack Fletcher
Fletcher and his twin brother, Tyler, transitioned from Manchester City’s academy to United in 2023. Recently, Jack was selected for England’s Under-19 team that will compete in the upcoming European Championship qualifiers in Lithuania. Notably, Tyler is representing Scotland in the same tournament.
Academy Heritage Continues
- Mainoo has been the sole academy graduate in recent United matches.
- Goalkeeper Tom Heaton is another academy product, although he serves as the third choice.
- Tyler Fredricson, another academy player from Stockport, was featured in the squad for the EFL Cup.
Manchester United has sustained a remarkable record of integrating at least one academy graduate into every matchday squad since October 30, 1937. This streak encompasses over 4,000 consecutive games. The tradition began with Tom Manley and Jack Wassall participating in an away game against Fulham.
Homegrown Player Definition
The club defines a “homegrown player” as someone who joined before the age of 21 and played for United’s junior teams without prior senior exposure at another club. Head coach Ruben Amorim recently affirmed his commitment to uphold this historic record despite concerns raised by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner, regarding the academy’s current standards.
