15 hours ago
5
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell called in a favour from Manchester United interim boss Darren Fletcher to help the Grecians prepare for their FA Cup third round clash at Manchester City on Saturday.
Exeter City's manager Gary Caldwell asked his former Scotland teammate and Manchester United interim head coach Darren Fletcher to aid in the Grecians' preparation for their FA Cup third round match against Manchester City this Saturday. Caldwell, who shares a strong bond with the 41-year-old, reached out to Fletcher following the draw.
He asked if the League One club could use United's Carrington training base before heading to the Etihad Stadium. When the request was made, Fletcher was serving as the Under-18s head coach at Old Trafford. However, he has since stepped into the caretaker role with the Reds after Ruben Amorim's dismissal on Monday.
Despite the change, Exeter flew to Manchester on Thursday afternoon following a training session at their Cliff Hill training complex. They stayed overnight in Manchester and will complete their final preparations for the FA Cup third round tie at Carrington on Friday.
"I phoned Darren Fletcher a few weeks ago and kind of asked him if we could do that and we're really thankful to him and Manchester United for allowing us to train there," Caldwell revealed. "But he's got a bit busier since.".
"I am delighted for him to take the (United) team, it's an incredible honour for him. He's a brilliant person and we thank him for allowing to train there.
"I hope to see him, but I think he'll be quite busy preparing for his own FA Cup tie (against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday) but it's great that we can do that. I think the players will enjoy that experience as well and to travel today, I think, helps us. We've had some horrendous journeys up north this season, to do that on a Friday is really, really difficult, so to do it today and allow us to rest and recover tomorrow is very good."
For the Exeter squad, stepping onto the Etihad Stadium pitch will be a memorable occasion, but training at Carrington will be equally significant. With several United supporters among the Exeter players, the experience will only enhance what promises to be an unforgettable weekend for the Exeter squad, whatever the outcome.
"It's a tour of Manchester," midfielder Reece Cole added. "It will be nice to go and see facilities of an elite team's training ground and to go and train there will be really good.
"I think it's nice the way we've done it. We've travelled up two days before and we can really knuckle down and focus on what we need to do. It'll be another great experience going to see and training at Man United's training ground."
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