Darren Fletcher could be given new role at Manchester United

Fletcher could return to Old Trafford

Darren Fletcher could return to Manchester United as the club look to revamp their recruitment strategy. The 35-year-old made over 200 appearances for United before leaving the club for West Brom in 2015. Now with Stoke City, his contract is due to expire at the end of the season. With reports claiming Mike Phelan could be appointed as United's first every technical director, Sam Wallace of The Telegraph writes that Fletcher could be brought in to work alongside him. The role would see the Scotland international take on responsibility for identifying talent and and helping organise the club's scouting department. United are said to be keen for many of their key staffing roles to be taken up by individuals they feel understand the club and its values. An academy graduate and a winner of five league titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, Fletcher meets this criteria and would join Phelan, current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Nicky Butt and Michael Carrick as former players that currently have roles within the club. United's approach to player recruitment has drawn widespread criticism from supporters over recent years, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward often the target of fans' condemnation. Woodward has worked along with directors Richard Arnold and Matt Judge to secure transfer targets, a structure which it seems United will now look to revise. Ahead of a summer when United are thought to be plotting major changes to their squad, this could prove to be crucial.