Carrick presence inspiring for Man Utd kids, says Fletcher

Fletcher says he has enjoyed working with United's younger players and has been thrilled at their development and willingness to learn.

The days of apprentices cleaning the boots of senior players are long gone. But they still get jobs to instil discipline and a team ethos.

"It's not cleaning boots, it's things like bringing out the balls, or bringing the equipment back in," he said. "Putting the meeting room chairs in the right place, filling up water bottles.

"They are all on a rota. Everyone brings something off the bus, even the coaches.

"It's not to punish them, it's to make sure everything is tidy. We bring the stuff out and we put it away, to show that we're all in it together."

• Carrick disappointed with FA Youth Cup final venue

Manchester United forward JJ Gabriel has scored three goals in five appearances in reaching the FA Youth Cup final [Getty Images]

Fletcher is careful not to single out one player at the expense of others.

"I don't have any players who've struggled this year," is his way of looking at it.

However, in any media discussion about United's current Under-18 squad, there are some players who receive more scrutiny and interest than others.

JJ Gabriel is one of those.

The 15-year-old missed out on the Golden Boot prize he seemed set to win for so long until City's Teddie Lamb went on a phenomenal run at the end of the season, scoring 16 goals in his final 12 games.

However, Gabriel's overall performances confirmed him as the Premier League Under-18 league's player of the season.

The Londoner is likely to play some part in United's pre-season campaign this summer and he evidently has a very bright future.

"JJ's an amazing talent," said Fletcher.

"He is a fantastic kid. He brings an enthusiasm to the pitch every day to learn, to want to play, to be on the ball. He's desperate to do better, to improve and to learn. He takes constructive criticism well and I've got a great relationship with him.

"I do think we need to remember he is a kid and also he's been part of a really good team, and the players have helped him as well.

"But JJ has scored the goals and goals always get the limelight. He has a major future and is somebody I've enjoyed working with immensely.

"His next steps are something people above me will decide. We want him to go up there and thrive, so we need to get him in the position to do that."

Chido Obi has scored 20 goals across six different youth team competitions for Manchester United this season [Getty Images]

Twelve months ago, striker Chido Obi was the United youngster attracting most attention after being promoted to Amorim's senior squad.

After making eight first-team appearances last season, he only made the matchday squad once this term, as an unused substitute in the home draw with Wolves in December.

Fletcher does not view this as regression.

He cites Chido's willingness to turn out in an Under 18s game at City in February – scoring in a 3-1 win Fletcher cites as his side's best performance of the season – as evidence the 18-year-old Denmark youth international is desperate to improve.

"An Under-21 game was cancelled the day before and Chido messaged me, asking to play," said Fletcher.

"I thought it was amazing for Chido to want to play, to not think the Under-18s is beneath him in any way. That just shows how mature he is.

"We can look at Chido's size and forget how young he is.

"It's about transferring what he does at under-18 and under-21 football into men's football. That's the jump all young players have to make.

"It's more demanding, it's more intense, it's more physical and you have to prepare yourself not just in terms of size, but in terms of thinking, movement, timing, decision making, responsibility out of possession.

"All the young players will face the same challenge and have to show they're ready to take that next step."

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