Darren Fletcher – What his return means to Manchester United

When the fourth official lifted up his board on 15^th December, 2013 in the 70^th minute of the clash between Manchester United and Aston Villa there was a collective sigh of relief and a round of applause all round the football community. Darren Fletcher replaced Ryan Giggs as a substitute to play his first game in almost a year after being out for a prolonged period of time due to his bowel issues that have plagued him for for the whole of 2013 and large part of 2012.

Manchester United have been facing a long term crisis in the central midfield since the departure of Paul Scholes. Michael Carrick has however stepped up with some brilliant and mature performances during the last term and having a decent run this season has found himself injured.

The other CMs at the Old Trafford club have been struggling to deliver what’s expected of them on the big stage. Cleverley is been struggling with his form and is slated by the fans for his lack of forward passes and attacking mentality. Anderson has always been an inconsistent player. Phil Jones, who has had some decent performances in his newly found position is not much of a pass picker and lacks quick foot work and vision of a central midfielder. No one blames him for that, given his natural position, which is centre back. The new signing from Everton, Marouane Fellaini, has failed to impress the fans with his lack of work rate, inability to keep possession and general sloppyness. Given his age, Ryan Giggs cannot be expected to play in every match. Although he does chip in with the odd vintage performance, CM is not Giggs’ natural area and he’s also been a tad sloppy with the ball.

Fletcher’s absence has never been felt so much. He has been an absent figure in football since December 2011 being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Having made a brief return during September 2012, the midfielder missed the rest of 2012-2013 season to undergo an operation to lessen the effects of his condition.

An intelligent player who reads the game well and generally always puts up a whole-hearted performance, Fletcher has been heralded as the pivot that could turn United’s season around. United’s recent run of bad games including losses against the teams at Old Trafford unthinkable in the Ferguson era is now a harsh reality. The general problem in these matches has been the virtually absent central midfield. The Scottish midfielder has the ability to control the CM as he’s shown in the past with his top notch performances in big games, be it Arsenal, City, Chelsea or Milan.

Fletcher has been used as a defender as well as a right winger at times. He can pick a pass, control possession, score long rangers, make interceptions, defend – a total package as a central midfielder. He can provide the much needed reinforcement in the centre of the park, which Man Utd’s been lacking recently with the absence of Carrick.

“Fletcher is more important than people think. His work in midfield, especially in the midfield ‘wars’, in crucial matches is very important. Man United will miss his pace and aggression in defensive actions: he ‘eats’ opponents in defensive transition. I believe Xavi and Andres Iniesta are happy Fletch is not playing.” – Jose Mourinho on Fletcher’s absence from the UCL 2009 finals against Barcelona after picking up a red card in the semi finals second leg against Arsenal.

Sir Alex Ferguson always feared if Fletcher wouldn’t make his return and prematurely end his career. The fear became a paranoia when the team’s midfield crisis had peaked with the departure of Paul Scholes. The former United manager felt his absence more than ever.

Sir Alex believed the midfielder would make his return but in a slightly different role, a holding midfielder rather than a box-to-box player.

“This operation will hopefully solve the situation and we expect him to be back in July,” Ferguson said. “This improves Darren’s prospects of returning. It was something we thought would happen anyway. He tried his best to cope with the condition with the treatments he was using but, in the last couple of weeks, it’s come back.

“It’s a blow for the boy but given he’s been dealing with the condition for a few years, it’s just another step for him. He has fantastic character, he’s a brilliant boy. He’ll do his best, no doubt about that. He always does.

“He had to change his game and he hasn’t been the Darren Fletcher of three or four years ago in the games this season. Instead, he was sitting in front of the back four and he did well. That could be his role in the future. When he comes back, and I hope he does, it will be in a different role.” – Sir Alex said.

Fletcher looks upon on the former United manager for the manager’s support through his illness.

“Through illness and injury Sir Alex has been more than just a manager to me. The human side of his character in the last couple of years has really been appreciated by myself and my family.

“I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to be helping me through my illness and I will always be enormously grateful for all the help and care he’s shown. I’m desperate to pay him back.

“Hopefully, as things progress and I get back playing again for United that will allow me to show my gratitude for everything he has done and the support he has given.” ,vowed the Scot skipper back then.

If things go as planned, Cleverley, who performed well in the recent 3-0 defeat of Aston Villa, scoring a goal and getting back with defending at set pieces could be paired with Darren Fletcher in the central midfield. This CM pair, although not world class is an improvement in the current scenario. A last straw fans are hoping to hold onto in case the club does not make a significant addition in the January transfer window

The away fans, usually the more vocal of the United fans, showed their immense respect towards the player, having seen him play after over a year, cheering on every tussle he had with an opposition player and every touch of his at Villa Park. With Carrick injured and other CM’s dreadful performances, the Man Utd midfielder’s return could not have happened at a better time!

The Scot insists he is fully fit having played a few games with the U-21s. Here’s wishing the best to Darren Fletcher with his third term at the Old Trafford. He has endured a lot in both his personal and professional life and it will now only be poetic justice if Fletcher manages to have a fulfilling rest of his United career.