The return of Darren Fletcher is a cause for optimism for Manchester United

On Sunday, Darren Fletcher made his first appearance for Manchester United in almost a year after struggling for three years with a chronic bowel problem. Many feared he would never play again and his return was celebrated jubilantly by the travelling supporters, and respectfully applauded by the home support. Given the current state of the United midfield, David Moyes will hope his compatriot can remain fit for the remainder of the season.

Fletcher is a curious figure in United history. Initially much-maligned; conspiracy theorists suggested he must have been Sir Alex Ferguson’s illegitimate son to force his way into the side. The nickname “football genius” went from ironic to genuine as the years passed and it became increasingly apparent the he was in the team on merit.

His reputation soared, and the notion that he was a long-term replacement for Roy Keane became less laughable with each commanding display in the centre of midfield. In 2009, the Scotsman received an extremely harsh red card late on in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.

It tells you something about how far Fletcher had come that, after United were comprehensively outplayed by Barcelona in the final, many felt he might have made the difference. Whether the claim has any validity is certainly open for debate, but the fact remains that the fans had been won over. In a preview in the Daily Telegraph, no less a judge than Jose Mourinho said: ”I believe Xavi and Andres Iniesta are happy Fletch is not playing.’

The following season saw the midfielder cement his reputation in the heart of United’s midfield. Fletcher was the man for the big occasion in 2009/10. That campaign saw him captain the side for the first time and culminated in his selection in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Since November 2011, injury has meant Fletcher has featured all too rarely. Just at the moment he had silenced the doubters once and for all, fate had other plans. The midfield crisis has had plenty of United fans spitting blood over the last couples of seasons but, unfortunately for Fletcher, what he has been doing is one letter away from that.

Ulcerative colitis has forced the Scotland captain onto the sidelines for years now, and even Sir Alex Ferguson, rather touchingly, used part of his farewell speech at Old Trafford to wish his erstwhile protege a speedy recovery. Players out for an extended period are often described as being “like a new signing” by their managers, but in this instance the phrase would feel wholly appropriate should he feature on a consistent basis. With Owen Hargreaves there were more false dawns than Groundhog Day, the hope is that things are different with Fletcher.

Things looked positive when the combative midfielder returned at the start of last season, but he played a mere nine games before undergoing surgery in the new year, a move that ruled him out for the rest of the season. Having been excused from the club’s pre-season world tour this time around, the hope was that Fletcher would be available for the start of the season.

Moyes could certainly have done with his experience in the middle of the pitch. It is not just his manager who wishes him well. Any United fan who witnessed Fletcher’s transition from an ugly duckling into a swan will hope to see him playing regularly again soon.