Awesome performance. Amazing to think he was out for 2 years.
Showed the kind of energy we were lacking in midfield.
Showed the kind of energy we were lacking in midfield.
Darren Fletcher | 2013/14 Performances
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fletcher's one touch football
Better than Cleverley's been all season
Shits all over Cleverley.
I was about to post "now it's enough excuses, let's just face that Fletcher doesn't have the quality to start for us anymore" on the back of the first half.
Then he was great in the second half.
Leader out there today. What we need.
Then he was great in the second half.
Leader out there today. What we need.
Sorry chaps he was bloody awful first half. Huge whole in the centre of the park. Nothing has changed put him under he gives away possession. Much better second half though (as good as I've ever seen him tbh).
He was outstanding in the second half.
Brilliant to see him back to something like his best (all things considered). Excellent second half from him.
How was there a huge whole? They had 6 touches in the box in the first half and next to no chances.
A class above all our other midfielders, even Carrick. He's been great since coming back.
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Not scared to have the ball. How many times did he just keep it instead of handing off responsibility ? Hope this continues.
I remember in 2009/10 we were playing Portsmouth at home and creating nothing, then Fletch picks up the ball drives to the right flank plays a pass gets it back and plants a beautiful cross onto Rooney's head. Think after that the floodgates opened if my memory serves me but it took Fletch's dynamism and drive to open them up.
Also remember the Bryan Robson like volley Fletch got against Everton that season, again at a time when we were struggling to open them up.
Fletch was very good in 2008/09 especially in the Champions League semi final against Arsenal but he was great in 2009/10. In 2009/10 Fletch pretty much dragged us through the season as the rest of the team tried to deal with the post-Ronaldo hangover. Most people remember that season for Rooney's goals, I remember it because without Fletch half those goals wouldn't have come about. Fletch's assist at the San Siro in the Milan tie lives with me.
That illness of his robbed us of one of the best players in the Premier League. Thank God he's back. 'Getting him back is like a new signing' to quote a great man...
He stood off, didn't make a single challenge until the last minute of the first half, didn't get goal side on a number of occasions, he got caught in possession. That said most of the team were poor. Much better second half though.
Cleverley has had a very busy Xmas period and that showed against Sunderland. Cleverly should still be starting ahead if him, far more mobile, aggressive and positive.
Carrick always looks poor when partnered with Fletcher, nothing new there.
Played very well.
He's looking good in his run of games so far. Deserves to start the Chelsea game with Carrick.
He's looking good in his run of games so far. Deserves to start the Chelsea game with Carrick.
Anyone remember Fletcher's goals in the 2009/10 4-3 against City? Man was a beast that day.
Forget the illness and the fact he recently came back from a long lay off, he was great in the second half.
Lol, the whole spelling! Bollocks about Fletcher I think the appointment of our manager proves my point.
Someone should thread ban you. Do you see the matches with a Anti Fletcher tinted glasses, FFS
That was a formation issue which was sorted at half time, he and Carrick were sitting in a straight line at times in the first half and Swansea runners would just break beyond them. Second half was a different story as one pressed whilst the other sat slightly off to pick up the runner. Made a lot more sense in the second half and not sitting in a straight line in CM seemed to give him better passing options.
Agreed. Always comes up big when we need him. He's so good all around, and I'll be the first to admit I thought his career was done with the way his illness has been the last few years. Didn't think he'd be able to come back at the level he's been at after being so long out. Delighted that he's shown otherwise.
I bought a shirt with his name on it 10 minutes after that game was over.
I can't believe how good he still is considering what he's gone through in the past years. Probably our best midfielder since he came back.
Daren fecking Fletcher!
He has to be our next captain, speaks so much sense every time I hear him.
He's looking very composed on the ball, not as much without it but he looks better than any other CM we've played this season.
I would support his selection as captain completely, I think he deserves it.
before today I thought he was a bit off the pace, obviously understandable, but certainly his best period of play since he's been back.
Looking more like a starter now, rather than a fringe bit parter.
Those medical staff have done well!
Looking more like a starter now, rather than a fringe bit parter.
Those medical staff have done well!
He was excellent today.
Great to see him play the full 90 and look fresh till the last kick. Must have been a tiring game to play in as well with all the Swansea possession.
Great to see him play the full 90 and look fresh till the last kick. Must have been a tiring game to play in as well with all the Swansea possession.
The calmness he brings is exactly what we need till we get some top quality players in CM area. Talent wise, Cleverley might have more in his locker but at top level, the temperament which Fletcher has is more important. If Cleverley can learn to be as calm on the ball instead of trying to do too many things at a time, we can feel better about central midfield area.
Darren Fletcher - Man of Steel. Dunno who made this but sir you got it in one. Darren Fletcher is our Superman: We will rise behind him.
That's actually a great shout.
With Vidic and Evra possibly leaving I would be delighted for Fletch to get the armband. I always thought it would be Evans but didn't anticipate Fletch coming back the way he has. A proper United player.
I'm amazed. To come back after so long and play like that. He looked to me like he had plenty of energy to spare. He was helping to drive us on with some clever, incisive passes. But most of all the desire to win the ball and make his presence known in midfield is what we've lacked.
Others in our squad should be taking note.
Others in our squad should be taking note.
Unreal today.
I remember how much vitriol and abuse Fletcher got for a couple of seasons. Wonder if Cleverley can come out the other side of it the way Fletcher did.
It was his passing that really stood out, picking out those balls quickly between the lines that no one else seems to look for. Kagawa in particular benefited.
Not at all. Fletcher's been our most positive player since he's come back and the one midfielder who's consistently played sharp, incisive passes in behind the opposition midfield. That's the kind of positive play we need that we've seen far too little of from Cleverley all season.
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