Manchester United’s first-team coach Darren Fletcher has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) after his team’s 2-1 victory over Brentford on October 19.
Fletcher was accused of acting in an “improper and/or confrontational manner” and using “abusive and/or insulting words” towards match officials during the game at Old Trafford.
The incident reportedly stemmed from United’s frustration over Brentford’s opening goal, scored by Ethan Pinnock. Defender Matthijs de Ligt was forced off the field three times to address a cut on his head, creating a perceived imbalance that upset United.
Manager Erik ten Hag and assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were both issued yellow cards for their protests over the decision, while Fletcher confronted officials as they walked toward the tunnel at halftime.
“The team felt a certain unfairness regarding the handling of De Ligt’s injury,” one source within the club shared, indicating that tensions were high due to repeated stoppages that left United at a disadvantage.
Fletcher, a United stalwart with 342 appearances for the club, has until October 29 to respond to the FA’s charge.
The FA’s actions against Fletcher come amid a series of recent disciplinary measures across the Premier League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ sporting director Matt Hobbs was charged on Thursday for allegedly confronting officials after Wolves’ 2-1 loss to Manchester City.
Additionally, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been asked to clarify his remarks suggesting a potential bias from referees toward the league’s top six teams.
In another case, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was issued a five-match stadium ban after spitting on the floor as officials walked by following his team’s defeat to Fulham in September.
Boluwatife Enome
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