Fletcher biding timing over Premier League return, but desperate for games

With our current midfield predicament, having as many midfielders as possible is important purely for giving us as many options as possible. A lot has been written about the weakness of our midfield over the recent years, and over the last eight months or so there’s no doubting the fact that Scholes has carried us in the middle of the park. The six months’ rest Scholes got last year before deciding to come out of retirement played a massive role in keeping Scholes fresh enough to play a fair amount last year – but, trying to be realistic, we can’t expect the same consistent and regular standard this year. Playing so regularly will take a toll on the 37 year-old, and although there will never be a direct replacement for Scholes, the return of Darren Fletcher could well be vital in keeping Scholes fresh in the closing months of the season.

I wouldn’t be as specific as to say that Scholes and Fletcher are similar players, but in many respects they do a similar job in the team. Both play rather defensively and shield the defence; and while Fletcher’s younger legs mean he bombs forward much more frequently, Scholes has unmatchable passing ability. When players begin to suffer from fatigue in the closing months of the season, rotation will be key in keeping players as fresh as possible for the right games, and the more options we have in midfield, the better we’ll be at it. While Fletcher’s sudden return to action following a bowel condition that kept him out for the majority of last season is well underway, the midfielder is yet to make a Premier League return and says he can’t wait to get back to the real action.

The Scot made his return in the Champions League against Galatasaray, followed by an appearance versus Newcastle in the League Cup, and says it’s all about clocking up playing time. “It’s what it’s all about,” he told MUTV. “Getting as many games as possible. I know the manager has got such a big squad now, especially in the midfield area, and there is a lot of competition for places. I have to be patient and wait for my chances but, hopefully, one will come around sooner rather than later. I think my general fitness is fine; it’s just match fitness – the sharpness, reaction times, things in your head and things like that. The positional sense, when you’re a little bit older, comes back to you fairly quickly.”

Fletcher played numerous games for the Reserve side before making his first team comeback, and spent some of the summer training with the Scotland team that he captains. Fletcher’s last appearance came in the away Champions League tie against Cluj last week. “To get as many 90 minutes as possible is great just now,” he said. “After not playing for a long time, it’s important to get games back into your legs. Fortunately, I’ve had quite a few games for the Reserves as well. I was just desperate to get back involved in any way, shape or form. For me, firstly playing for the Reserves was massive and a great achievement. Going into every game, I treat them the same. It doesn’t matter where it is – the Reserves, Capital One Cup, back in Scotland – every match is the same when you get across that line and just want to get back to winning ways.”