What is Fletcher's coaching philosophy?

His charges have won every game they’ve played since the turn of the year, setting up a title fight with Manchester City at the top of the U18 Premier League.

We’ll also face the Blues in the FA Youth Cup final, after overcoming Crystal Palace in extra-time at Old Trafford last Friday.

It’s all part of a development journey, as we try to capture the famous trophy for a 12th time, and Fletcher drills down into his methods during an appearance on the Inside Carrington podcast, describing them as a mix of classic United DNA and a more possession-dominant style.

“We’ll always keep Manchester United traditions that have been passed down from the club from a long time,” Fletcher said. “The DNA that the club has, so to speak.

“There's threads of that in there for sure, but we have to evolve them the way modern football is played - so definitely more emphasis on possession. But I think football, in general, has gone that way. So you have to be really, really good in possession.

“I must admit I've enjoyed the way we've played this season and we've played in an extreme, extreme way, but that's also recognising what the opposition do as well.

“So we won't just keep the ball for the sake of it, if there's space to exploit in behind and it needs a long pass.”

Chido Obi’s extra-time winner in Friday’s semi-final came from such a position, as James Overy’s precise pass from right-back played the striker through on goal.

Obi’s first touch fooled Palace keeper Lucca Benetton and he converted to set up a mouthwatering clash, to be played in the blue half of the city during the coming weeks.

Negotiating the vast pitch at the Theatre of Dreams has provided its challenges, but Fletcher believes the rewards of the M16 victories over Peterborough United, Derby County, Sunderland and Palace will be reaped further down the line.

“I think we've progressed with each round, of having the experience of being on there,” he added.

“It shows how important it is for these young players to experience that for their development," he explained. "More so than anything in front of fans, the games being on TV, the games being high-profile.

“The most pleasing thing for me is how we've improved with each game, as we've gone along on the journey.

“Great learning, but, obviously, we're going to have to go away now for a final, which will be another great experience and another great challenge, and part of their development.”

United’s youth sides have long been regarded for their attacking verve, but this vintage also has a defensive steel that has seen us concede a league-low 18 goals.

“We want to dominate the ball,” he admitted. “We want to build up from the back. We want to play our way through the opposition.

“I think the out-of-possession principles are probably more powerful - we want pressure on the ball at all times. Pressing is how we've scored a lot of our goals, actually.

“I've really enjoyed watching us play. I said that to you before we came on here, that the amount of times the opposition coaches have complimented us on our off-the-ball [work].

“We've not conceded that many goals, which has come from a combination of the way we keep the ball off the opposition, so we starve them of possession.

“But as soon as the opposition have the ball, we try and win it back as quickly as possible, and we sprint back every time the opposition have an attack. So the players have bought into that right from the beginning of the season.”

WATCH THE UNDER-18s LIVE

Next on the agenda is Wednesday's Premier League Cup final - a reprise of the recent head-to-head with Palace's youth side.

This one will be held at Selhurst Park, and MUTV subscribers can watch it live across our channels.

United are bidding for a second success in three years, having defeated Manchester City in the 2024 final.