Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher hit back at an ‘abusive’ fan after players did not stop to sign autographs following their Champions League win over Sabah.
Footage shared on social media showed Fletcher walking over to a section of Man United supporters, who had been waiting close to the team buses after their 4-0 win at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Fletcher, who is currently the head coach of Man United’s Under-18 side, specifically picked out one supporter having taken exception to their language towards players.
The fan had allegedly been abusive towards players as they made their way home post-match, after Man United stars had refused to stop to sign autographs.
‘Hey listen, it doesn’t matter you can’t speak like that,’ Fletcher said, prompting cheers from other Man United supporters in attendance.
Fletcher then pointed at the fan and stated: ‘You are the reason people don’t sign, you are the reason people don’t sign.’
Darren Fletcher took aim at an ‘abusive’ autograph hunter after Man United’s victory over Sabah in the Champions League
The fan had reportedly been angered by Man United players refusing to sign autographs
His intervention led to fans chanting ‘legend, legend’ in support of Fletcher as he walked away.
Fletcher, now 42, has been head coach of Man United’s Under-18 side since July last year.
He briefly stepped up to have a two-game spell as interim manager last January after Ruben Amorim’s sacking, before Michael Carrick took charge.
During his career, Fletcher had made 342 appearances and scored 24 goals for Man United.
He won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and FA Cup during his playing career at Old Trafford.
Fletcher’s former team-mate Patrice Evra previously claimed Sir Alex Ferguson had once torn into his players after failing to sign autographs when on a pre-season tour.
While players have been criticised in recent years for refusing to stop to sign autographs, Daily Mail Sport has previously revealed that Man United have grown increasingly frustrated with professional autograph hunters.
Concerns have previously been raised that players have been harangued as part of ‘industrial-scale autograph harvesting’ at Old Trafford, with signed memorabilia then being sold.
Manchester United had earned a 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday
Man United had recorded a comfortable 4-0 win on Thursday night on their return to the Champions League.
First half goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko had seen the Red Devils storm into a 3-0 lead against tournament newcomers Sabah.
Lisandro Martinez added a fourth in the second half against their opponents from Azerbaijan.
The Red Devils will now turn their attentions to Sunday’s Manchester derby.
