Man Utd U21s won 4-2 against Everton in the Premier League 2 play-off and Tyler Fletcher was on the scorehseet.Tyler Fletcher scored for the U21s.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

Tyler Fletcher was described as “outstanding” after scoring for Manchester United against Everton.

The Under-21s won 4-2 against Everton in the Premier League 2 play-off at Leigh Sports Village on Friday night, and they will now play Sunderland or West Ham in the quarter-finals.

Fletcher scored the game’s third goal after a brace from Ethan Wheatley. Fletcher’s first touch to receive the pass from Sekou Kone was brilliant and he made the finish into the bottom left corner look easy.

Fletcher has probably gone under the radar this season, but he’s delivered consistently strong performances in the academy in the No.6 position, a role which his father also played in.

Darren Fletcher’s twin sons, Tyler and Jack, were signed from Manchester City in the summer of 2024 because United believed they had first-team potential, and they are progressing well.

The Manchester Evening News spoke to U21 boss Travis Binnion after the U21s’ win against Everton and he was full of praise for the improving Tyler Fletcher. “He’s been outstanding,” said Binnion.

“The fact is he gets into the best of the U21s on merit, like 100 per cent. He affects the game with the ball, the game without the ball and the game in the top third of the pitch.

“He’s looking strong, fit and there’s loads more to come from him, he’s not done by a long stretch. So yeah, underrated? Maybe because he hasn’t been with the first-team, and maybe because there are players who are a bit more eye-catching in the forward positions who maybe have numbers to support.

“But he’s not underrated by the staff, the club and the players. He’s excellent and like his brother [Jack], he’s got loads more to come, loads more physically to come.”

Binnion speaking to his players after the Everton win.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

Binnion was asked about the team’s performance and said: “It wasn’t long ago we were 3-0 up against Nottingham Forest here, in a far better performance than tonight, and we finished the game 3-3.

“It can’t happen. If the lads are going to go and have careers and make the most of opportunities at any senior level, those moments have to be very few and far between.

“I was pleased tonight that we had a two-goal lead and managed the game quite well I thought. We looked like getting the next goal tonight and we looked like getting the next goal. I thought we were poor… Actually, not poor in the first half, but we weren’t anywhere near where we want to be.

“Although we looked alright and nice, I thought we were a little bit fragile in the turnover and they caused us problems with their front two and their running ability all night, but particularly first half and I didn’t think we asked enough questions of them in the first half. Did we deserve to come in 2-1 down?

“I’m not sure we deserved to, but I thought the reaction off the feedback at half-time was really good and the second half we were far better than them.”

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