Football's ultimate nepo-managers as Darren Fletcher mulls over playing his own SONS at Man United: Fergie's treatment of 'lucky' Darren enraged Roy Keane, while Brian Clough put Nigel up front

Darren Fletcher has the chance to make his sons' dreams come true.

The Manchester United caretaker manager is in the unique position of being able to field both of his sons, Jack and Tyler, for the club's first team if he wants to.

It is an unprecedented situation in football. As United host Brighton on Sunday in the FA Cup , there is the very real prospect that he rotates the squad and calls on both of his sons.

Jack, 18, has already played three Premier League games for the Red Devils and was left on the bench for Fletcher's first game in charge against Burnley . Tyler, also 18, still awaits his first-team debut.

But this is not the only time in football history where a manager has been in the position to play at least one son.

In fact, as you find, some of the greatest of all time have found themselves in similar shoes - and taken advantage to devastating effect.

Darren Fletcher could play his sons Jack and Tyler in Man United's upcoming game vs Brighton

The ultimate example of footballing nepotism is, in the eyes of many, Sir Alex Ferguson playing his son Darren - and it led to Roy Keane questioning Fergie's integrity.

Darren came through United's hallowed youth academy and Ferguson handed him his first-team debut aged 19 in February 1991, off the bench in a 2-1 league defeat at Sheffield United .

He was typically a peripheral played at Old Trafford but did start the first 15 games of the inaugural 1992-93 Premier League season, covering for the injured Bryan Robson.

The young Ferguson managed 30 appearances in United colours before being shipped off to Wolves for £250,000 in 1994. He went on to build a respectable career playing and managing in the Football League - he has notably took the reins at Peterborough United in four separate stints - but Keane was not impressed.

The Irishman, who of course fell out with Sir Alex in 2005, said in later years: 'People said [Ferguson] always had the best interests of Manchester United at heart. Darren Ferguson [his son] won a medal [Premier League and Charity Shield]. He was very lucky.'

In December 2010, when Ferguson Jr was sacked by Preston North End with the club bottom of the Championship, Sir Alex reacted by recalling loanees Ritchie de Laet and Joshua King , despite them wanting to stay at Deepdale.

De Laet never played for Man United again, King was given five minutes against Galatasaray two years later, and Preston went down in May 2011.

'They were pulled out of Preston,' Keane reflected. 'Is that doing the best for Manchester United? Do me a favour.'

Ironically, last January, Ferguson Jr was branded a bit of a killjoy after refusing to bring on 18-year-old Tyler Young when he could have faced his father Ashley, 39, in an FA Cup match.

Ferguson, managing Peterborough against Everton, could have created FA Cup history but refused to sub on Tyler despite losing 2-0.

'Very difficult [to leave Tyler on the bench],' he admitted afterwards. 'But I've got to do what's best for the team. It was 1-0 and I've got to try and get a forward on and try and get something out of the game. We're not a charity case.'

Sir Alex Ferguson famously played his son Darren Ferguson for Manchester United

Having your son at one club is suspicious enough. How about three?

You might not know that Tony Pulis had his son Anthony at Portsmouth, Stoke, and on loan at Plymouth.

But Pulis Sr didn't give his offspring any special privileges when it came to game time. In fact, the young Pulis only ever played 11 times under his father. He had been too young to do so at Portsmouth, where he was a trainee, and he was used sparingly at Stoke and Plymouth.

Anthony was largely a reserve player wherever he went and in 2014 he wrapped up a decade-long career which had taken in 12 different clubs and only 109 appearances.

'It was difficult playing under dad,' he recalled in an interview with TBR Football about his time at Stoke. 'First few weeks were the most difficult, you have to win over your fellow players more than the manager and coaches.

'So I just tried to keep my head down, work hard, and eventually I gained their respect when they saw I could play. It was a bit harder for me, because dad didn’t want to show any favouritism and have me in the team just because I was his son. I had to earn it.'

He has since gone into coaching in the United States and said: 'He [Tony] has been a huge mentor of mine.

'I think I would be silly not to tap into the knowledge of someone who has managed over 1000 games at the highest level in the UK.

'To not ask his advice would be pretty naive of me. He's been a huge supporter of mine, he's always there for advice.'

Tony Pulis had his son Anthony at Stoke, Plymouth, and Portsmouth... but didn't always play him!

Anthony (right) has gone on to become a coach in the United States after retiring

Has any father played his son more at the elite level?

Nigel Clough racked up around 400 appearances during his first stint at Nottingham Forest, during which time his father, the legendary Brian, was in charge.

What a successful partnership it was. Clough scored 130 goals under his old man, winning the League Cup twice and the Full Members' Cup twice, and to this day remains their second-top scorer ever. He later returned to add a final goal on loan in 1996.

They are both Forest icons in their own right. This, certainly, is no example of somebody being given an undeserved leg up.

And Cloughie really pushed his son. Nigel once recalled to ITV how he had visited his girlfriend the night before a youth game, only to return home and be told: '"Right, you're not playing tomorrow.'"

He also referred to his son rather coldly as 'the number nine' on occasions to try and defuse any accusations of favouratism.

'It was a difficult transition for both of us,' Nigel told the Guardian of playing for his dad.

'Once you start working I think your father-son relationship becomes secondary to the work relationship.'

Brian Clough turned his son Nigel (right) into one of Nottingham Forest's greatest stars

Alex Bruce had a pretty cool childhood, watching his father Steve win trophy after trophy and getting to meet his Manchester United team-mates.

It's no surprise that sparked a love for the beautiful game and Alex went on to play under Steve at Birmingham early in his career and latterly Hull, where he was a fairly regular player.

Steve Bruce (right) and his son Alex (left) enjoyed lots of success at Hull City

They enjoyed success together at Hull, getting promoted to the Premier League in 2013 and 2016 and finishing as runners-up in the FA Cup in 2014.

Alex acknowledges that it was a 'tricky balance' between their personal and working relationship but says that their success greased the wheels.

'Hull was a good opportunity to work with him again and it was probably the best time of my career. It’s a tricky balance, working for your dad. Because we were successful, it was easier,' he said.

'I’ve long since made peace with the fact that I’m known as Steve Bruce’s son. I like to think I’ve done alright for myself, played professional football for 18 years… Ultimately I’ll always be known as Steve Bruce’s son and that’s just the nature of the beast.'