Darren Fletcher puts 'abusive' Man United autograph-hunters in their place: Coach shouts back after angry fans attacked players for not stopping when they wanted to meet their heroes

· DailyMail

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.

Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher hit back at an 'abusive' fan after he did not sign an autograph 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.

Daily Mail Sport understands Fletcher had signed autographs for several fans but did not go all the way behind the bus where some supporters were waiting.

After one of those fans became abusive, Fletcher returned and shouted back at the supporter in response.

'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.'

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.

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.

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