Fletcher Brothers Shine in FA Youth Cup as Scotland Fans Hope for The Best

Manchester United triumphed in the FA Youth Cup quarter final on Friday night, winning 3-2 away at Arsenal after extra time. The game provided a spectacle of some of the best young players in English football.

Central to the drama were twin brothers Jack and Tyler Fletcher. The United midfielders dominated possession in the first half, displaying elegance and composure on the ball.

United U18 manager, Adam Lawrence, told the Manchester Evening News after the game: “This competition is special for us, it’s special for every club. We have a massive history in it and we want the boys to really embrace these occasions.”

The Fletchers certainly handled the pressure of the occasion, with Jack scoring a sublime opening goal.

Jack and Tyler are the sons of former Manchester United and Scotland midfielder, Darren Fletcher. Their father played over 300 games for United, winning the Champions League, five Premier League titles, and every trophy in English football.

His career for his beloved Scotland spanned 14 years, gaining 80 caps for his country. As Jack and Tyler strive to emulate their dad’s success, the question arises of who they will represent internationally.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Tyler Fletcher of Manchester United poses for a photo with his twin brother Jack Fletcher of Manchester United following the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal U18 and Manchester United U18 at Emirates Stadium on February 28, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Jack Fletcher

United’s FA Youth Cup run has been one of the few good news stories for the club this season. On Friday night, Jack Fletcher treated the away support to an outstanding individual display.

He constantly showed for the ball in the first half, dropping deep to receive possession from his back line before clipping delightful, spinning passes into the channels.

Although a player of great imagination, vision and craft, he does not shy away from tracking back and sliding into challenges. A classic number 10, he shifts the ball beautifully before lining up a stinging shot, almost always on target.

His opening goal epitomised his shooting style, perfectly finding the corner with a soaring strike that flew from his apparent weaker right foot. It was no fluke either, as he deployed a range of precise long passing with both feet in the final stages of the first half.

Jack has been involved in the United first team of late, earning a place on the bench in their recent Premier League defeat to Spurs.

He has represented both Scotland and England at youth level, but more recently for the latter. Scottish fans may one day see this player starring for their greatest adversaries. In 2023, Jack lined up against his brother, helping England U16 to a 3-0 win over Scotland.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Chido Obi and Jack Fletcher of Manchester United warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Manchester United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Tyler Fletcher

Tyler is a deeper lying midfielder, more in the mould of his father. Both brothers stand at around 6ft, but have great balance on the ball.

There is more to Tyler’s game than recycling play. Although not a number 10, he gets himself forward. Shortly after Jack’s goal against Arsenal, Tyler arrived in the box and had a great shot of his own that had it not been for a deflection, might have found the bottom corner.

Adam Lawrence commented: “It was about being really extreme with the control we had, making more passes, managing the spaces and attacking when it was really obvious.”

Tyler Fletcher was at the heart of this control, launching many attacks with calm, defence splitting passes.

Having made four appearances for England U16, Tyler switched to the dark blue of Scotland in 2022 and has so far not gone back.

Tyler could become a serious player for Scotland. He would slot in perfectly beside Billy Gilmour in a holding role. A player capable of doing every side of the game in midfield, much like former United player Scott McTominay.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 28: Tyler Fletcher of Manchester United shoots during the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal U18 and Manchester United U18 at Emirates Stadium on February 28, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The Burden of Dual Eligibility

As both players progress, the speculation about national team choice will intensify. It is a tricky situation for players who have represented both nations at youth level, while carrying the more visible association with Scotland.

There has been much debate about when a player can declare. Should a youth national game be the decider? When is it too early to make a young player decide?

They both have many years of development ahead. Competition for places, circumstances and opportunity will determine what nation they ultimately represent.

England and Scotland’s Development of Players

When it comes to youth development, England undoubtedly has a superior system to Scotland. With the outstanding facilities at St George’s Park, England offer players like Jack a highly supportive environment at youth level.

Scotland have made great progress, as evidenced by the continued success of the Scottish Performance School programme, which produced Billy Gilmour and Nathan Paterson.

Gilmour starred for Chelsea in the 2018 FA Youth Cup Final against Arsenal, scoring a volley and giving an outstanding midfield display.

Having graduated from Grange Academy in Kilmarnock, the Performance School programme was fundamental in producing a player who now plays for a Napoli side chasing the Italian league title.

Billy Gilmour of Chelsea U18 CELEBRATES HIS GOAL during FA Youth Cup Final 2nd Leg match between Arsenal U18 against Chelsea U18 at Emirates stadium, London England on 30 April 2018 (Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The Tartan Army have fond, long memories of Darren Fletcher. They will hope that his sons follow in their father’s footsteps and play for the Scottish National Team.

Scotland fans were stung last year when talented young player Archie Gray, now at Spurs, declared for England, telling talkSPORT: “My hopes are to play for England definitely. It’s where I’m from and it’s where I’ve grown up. I am three quarters English so it would only be right.”

Gray has never been involved with Scotland at youth level, but he comes from Scottish football royalty. He is the grandson of Frank Gray and the great nephew of Eddie Gray. Both had illustrious careers with Leeds United and Scotland.

All Scotland can do is keep on producing the likes of Billy Gilmour through the improving academy system, and offer players who qualify through their ancestors the opportunity to wear the dark blue.

There remains the horror vision for Scotland fans of a Jack Fletcher strike catching the top corner, at Hampden, as he runs away in celebration, dressed in the white of England.