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Jack Fletcher hasn’t played a minute for the first team in 2026 despite being a regular in December, but Michael Carrick can no longer ignore him.
Manchester United’s under-21 side beat Leeds on Friday afternoon in a pretty comfortable 2-1 victory, with Shea Lacey returning from injury ahead of mounting another first-team breakthrough.
Lacey was a dangerman throughout and assisted Jack Fletcher for the midfielder’s first goal of the game.
United’s second goal was also scored by Fletcher as he finished really well in a one-on-one situation, which ultimately made the number 10 the match winner for the Red Devils. It was a performance that should grab Michael Carrick’s attention.
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Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images Jack Fletcher scores a brace for Manchester United U21
Earlier this season, Fletcher looked set to break through at United as he held his own in a Ruben Amorim system, which was itself very poor.
Since then, Fletcher has been proving himself in the academy, and this latest performance is yet another sign that Carrick should be considering another first-team chance.
Two goals from the number 10 position, along with creating multiple big chances, it was a performance that Fletcher can go to Carrick’s first team door with and ask why he isn’t getting a chance.
Fletcher’s first goal saw his cross end up in the far corner, having passed through the box unchallenged. But the second goal was just a brilliant finish after Jack Moorhouse set him up.
These two goals bring Fletcher up to six goals and five assists this season in 13 Premier League 2 appearances, which is a return that United should be impressed by.
Fletcher becoming a goal and assist machine for the under-21s is yet another reason that Carrick should bring him back into the senior fold, as he could learn from and play second fiddle to Bruno Fernandes.
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Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images Fletcher never got a proper chance at United
The biggest argument for Fletcher getting more opportunities in the United first team this season comes from the manner in which Amorim played him.
United’s 255th academy graduate was poor in some of his cameos, but Amorim played Fletcher out of position, setting him up to fail.
Fletcher was used as a number six, when he is by trade a 10 with his creativity and goal scoring, his best qualities.
Therefore, he hasn’t got a proper go for United, with his performances now deserving another chance in his favoured position.
Fletcher could be a substitute option for Fernandes late in games, or even come on when United are chasing a game and want more creativity on the pitch.
He could be capable of saving United millions this summer.
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