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Fletcher's remarkable Scotland World Cup call after 17 minutes for Man Utd

It's amazing how life works out sometimes.

The Fletcher family were due to go to the World Cup anyway this summer.

With dad Darren's Manchester United Under-18s team completing an encouraging campaign with the frustration of losing both the FA Youth Cup and Premier League Under-18s final and twin sons Tyler and Jack both starting the Premier League 2 final loss to Brighton, there might have been a lingering sense of irritation as the family travelled around the United States to watch Scotland's matches.

Not anymore.

After just two senior substitute appearances, totalling 17 minutes, 16 of which came on the final day of the Premier League season at Brighton, Tyler Fletcher has got the World Cup call from Steve Clarke.

It is a quite incredible turn of events, reminiscent of when United's Norman Whiteside was called into Northern Ireland World Cup squad in 1982, also after just two senior appearances.

Clarke's shock choice says everything about the professionalism, diligence and work ethic Fletcher showed in training. That is what earned him a place on the bench for the pre-tournament friendly with Curacao after he was called into Clarke's training camp last week, mainly to get an indication of what is required at international level. Once there, Fletcher made a hugely positive impression on Scotland's coaches.

Then, when Billy Gilmour suffered the first-half injury that had such devastating personal consequences for the Napoli man, Fletcher was only held back as his immediate replacement through an element of caution on Clarke's part.

Fletcher's performance when he did come on at half-time was full of maturity.

This did not come as a surprise to any of the youth coaches who have worked with him at United.

After starting the season slightly behind twin brother Jack, who has opted to play for England's youth teams and played against – and beat – Tyler in a Euros Under-19s qualifier in November, it was the Scot who ended up in front.

Tyler was crowned United's Under-21 player of the year, receiving the award just before the first team played Nottingham Forest in their final home game of the campaign a fortnight ago, hours after that PL2 final defeat.

It was Tyler who was named on the bench for 11 of United's last 14 games, having initially been called up by Ruben Amorim for the home win over Newcastle on 26 December, ironically a game Jack played in.

Tyler's debut came as a last minute replacement for Kobbie Mainoo against Tottenham at Old Trafford on 7 February, the first academy player Michael Carrick gave a debut to as United boss.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick with Tyler Fletcher before he was introduced for his debut against Tottenham at Old Trafford in February

Both excellent long distance runners as well as footballers in their primary school days, Tyler and Jack have tended to be viewed as a pair.

Though they have taken strength from each other's presence as they have come through the ranks - initially at Manchester City before switching to United in 2023 - they are very much individuals, which goes beyond the beard Tyler grew which helped to tell the difference between them.

Often picked together in United's midfield at Under-21 level this season, Tyler is more of a number six or number eight. His brother plays slightly higher up the pitch.

Darren Fletcher, capped 80 times by Scotland, but who never played in a major tournament, has evidently been a key presence in shaping their respective careers. Time and again the duo are described as having similar traits to their dad, including, simply, 'being really good lads'.

However, Fletcher senior was also keen to ensure his sons progressed beyond Under-18 level before he agreed to take the job this season to avoid any issues.

Those who know Tyler say is he a confident, driven young man, but equally very low maintenance. 'Polite and conscientious' is how he has been described.

Physically, it has been noted he has settled down, which is key at an age where development is not complete and can come in surges.

Professional development has also been impressive.

Twelve months to the day before his international bow, Fletcher was making the second of two brief appearances for United in the final game of their controversial post-season tour of Asia.

It says plenty about his assimilation into the senior ranks, and his performances in his frequent call-ups to training sessions by Carrick that Fletcher was invited to the end-of-season squad dinner, arranged by skipper Bruno Fernandes, after the Forest game.

United coaches feel in addition to his stamina and athletic prowess, which they expect to improve as the months go on, Fletcher's all-round game has improved significantly.

They believe his ability on the ball, vision and understanding of the game means he will become more versatile as the years go on.

Fletcher has slowly been getting used to playing men's football.

In the first half of the campaign, it was for the Under-21 side at places like Brackley, Solihull and Tamworth in the National League Cup, or Lincoln, Barnsley and Notts County in the EFL Trophy. The appearance at Brighton alongside Shea Lacey confirmed Carrick, who has watched numerous Premier League 2 games in person, views him as one of the academy players most ready to make the big step up.

A week ago, the next stage for Fletcher was expected to be as one of the youngsters who will form the core of the group Carrick will take to Helsinki for United's first pre-season game against Wrexham on 18 July, the day before the World Cup final, and the trip to Rosenborg in Norway the following week.

Those plans might have to be shelved. Fletcher may have other, even more pressing commitments in July now.

"The best day of my life," was how Fletcher described his first team debut in February. That might have dropped down to number two.

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