Darren Fletcher | 2013/14 Performances

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I hope he stays back. Made a big difference in midfield today. Shows how badly we need a midfield...
 
It was great to see him out there. For now I'm just pleased that he's well enough to have got back this far.

He did well out there, particularly by being the man available for a pass.

Can he become a regular again? Who knows. So far, so good.
 
Brilliant to have him back, we instantly saw what it's like to have a proper central midfielder who is disciplined in there, makes us solid defensively and much more secure on the ball. No more of the opposition waltzing through the midfield like nobody is in there, he's actually composed under pressure as well, something we haven't seen since fletcher was in top form. We can't rely on him to become a key player and he's still got a long way to go obviously to be fully fit but this is a great start.
 
bosnian_red said:
Brilliant to have him back, we instantly saw what it's like to have a proper central midfielder who is disciplined in there, makes us solid defensively and much more secure on the ball. No more of the opposition waltzing through the midfield like nobody is in there, he's actually composed under pressure as well, something we haven't seen since fletcher was in top form. We can't rely on him to become a key player and he's still got a long way to go obviously to be fully fit but this is a great start.
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To be fair the midfield were operating that way all game anyway
 
If everything goes swimmingly from now onwards, how would his time away affect his ability to play on in later years? Is decline strictly down to age or would he be more likely to keep his legs into his thirties, than someone who had been playing constantly?
 
DiseaseOfTheAge said:
If everything goes swimmingly from now onwards, how would his time away affect his ability to play on in later years? Is decline strictly down to age or would he be more likely to keep his legs into his thirties, than someone who had been playing constantly?
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A question most of us have asked ourselves - without having any idea of the answer.
 
Amazing moment to see him come back. Absolutely chuffed for him, and one of those moments where I applauded the tv. Did well while he was on. Would be great to have him back permanently. Getting the old Fletcher back would be a huge boost for our midfield options.
 
Brilliant seeing Fletch out there again. Didn't look too off the pace and if he can find his form again he will easily walk into this midfield. Really hope we can get the old Fletcher back.
 
Carrick and De Gea pleased on twitter.. Clearly still valued by the squad..
As long as his illness is cured, I have no doubt he will be back to being a very good player.
 
prateik said:
Carrick and De Gea pleased on twitter.. Clearly still valued by the squad..
As long as his illness is cured, I have no doubt he will be back to being a very good player.
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His illness isn't curable, it's all about managing it. Hopefully he can and can still play. Other sportsmen have done it so there is hope.
 
prateik said:
Carrick and De Gea pleased on twitter.. Clearly still valued by the squad..
As long as his illness is cured, I have no doubt he will be back to being a very good player.
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His illness is. The issue is he could have problems as a result of the surgery, I believe.

EDIT: Though as TN has just contradicted that I'm losing said belief...
 
DiseaseOfTheAge said:
His illness is. The issue is he could have problems as a result of the surgery, I believe.

EDIT: Though as TN has just contradicted that I'm losing said belief...
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It's a strange one. We're both right in a way. Surgery can take away part of the problem, ie the inflammation in the digestive system, but inflammation can still remain in other areas of the body (which can cause arthritis etc). I only know because my younger sister has it.
 
The Man Himself said:
We looked so comfortable in midfield after his introduction. Nice cameo. Don't want to get too far ahead, but a midfield trio of Carrick-Fletcher-Kagawa can be very good. Of course, we still need to go and buy a good CM, but for time being, such pairing can work. Even replace Kagawa with Rooney as AM when RvP is fit and it will give a decent look to the side.
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We were 3-0 up
 
Now the big question is will he be able to start a game, and if so when?

If he's starting reserve games and was able to come on today then you would think that if it's going to happen at all it should happen pretty soon.
 
The Neviller said:
It's a strange one. We're both right in a way. Surgery can take away part of the problem, ie the inflammation in the digestive system, but inflammation can still remain in other areas of the body (which can cause arthritis etc). I only know because my younger sister has it.
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Cheers.

I had no idea it went beyond the digestive system, to be honest.
 
Lawman said:
We were 3-0 up
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So? As I have mentioned, not getting too far ahead, but if he can stay fit it will be a combination which won't give us nightmares about midfield position and on the contrary can add some stability in that area.
 
The return of Darren Fletcher would't negate the need for us to sign a quality creative centre midfielder. It would mean we don't have to play Jones as a make-shift midfielder though.
 
Fletcher says he is back for good. Excellent news. It's another option. Carrick, Fletcher, Cleverley, Fellaini, Giggs, Anderson..

Add a dynamic CM or two in there and it should be crisis over for a while.
 
Rowem said:
The return of Darren Fletcher would't negate the need for us to sign a quality creative centre midfielder. It would mean we don't have to play Jones as a make-shift midfielder though.
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Exactly. I'd be like saying because we got Vidic back from an injury we wouldn't have to get a new LB. The two aren't related.
 
Fletcher: I'm back for good
“This is it, I’m back for good. This is hopefully the game which means I’m back now. I seem to have come through the setbacks and health issues and I’m thankful for that. It’s onwards and upwards now.

I always believed I would come back, I kept that mind-set. I think other people around me were trying to make me think otherwise, but I stayed strong and believed I would get back. I think that was the best way to approach the situation and I knew I was going to go through a lot, but the belief and determination was to get back.

Playing a game like that, and getting an ovation like that [from the United fans] makes it all worthwhile.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to play football. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play for Manchester United and wasn’t going to give that up lightly. I battled through it, and I’m only 29 years old, I think I’ve got plenty more years of playing left in me. That was reiterated to me by my family, friends and the old manager. I could have a career all over again if I get my health right, and hopefully that’s what I’m going to do.

It was nice for me to come back. Even at half-time I went to do a few strides and it was great, it means a lot when the fans support me like that, and it spurs me on to do well for them. To have the support of the fans after what I’ve been through is great.

There have been so many people I could mention [who have supported me], but first and foremost are the people closest to home. Without them, I probably wouldn’t have been able to come back.

We have to go on a run, there’s no doubt about it. Not just an unbeaten run, but we need to be winning games, and put ourselves in a position where we’re still in contention by New Year. That’s the goal for all the lads, and results like this away from home are a good starting point. But, we’ve got to go and do it again, we need to win several games in a row for people to start believing that we’re back to what we are capable of.

I’m still building up my fitness, but I don’t want to take it easy. I’ve done enough of that, and I want to be involved, to get us back to where I know we should be. I think that’s the biggest determination for me. It’s difficult watching when the lads are winning, but a lot more difficult when they’re not winning. I want to help as much as I can, I want to keep picking up minutes, even if it’s with the reserves. Ultimately, the goal is to play in the first team, to be a part of the plans, and to bring success back to Manchester United".

Moyes:
"We were laughing afterwards about the great chance he had to score with a header from a corner. Isn't it great that a player who has had an illness like Darren has had can come back and get on the pitch. I know this has happened before and we're not going to get carried away with it, but I think it's a great sign.
"He's looking good, he's feeling good and anyone who saw him today would say that he looks much better and much more like his old self. And I thought he made some sense when he came on - he passed the ball well, kept it for us and was in the right position where we needed him. You can see the talent the boy has."
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Quotes from an article on manutd.com
 
Good news if he is fit and is going to be available for selection more often than not. Looking at a few pictures from training from the past month or so and he has been in almost every single session. Nice to see him pull on the shirt and slot right into the midfield looking like he played last week. The boy sure does have determination.
 
Loved reading that. He was a very important player for us during 2008-2010, and it was awful to see a couple of years taken away from his career like that. He is a true fighter and it will be great to see him back in the team again.
 
Nice quotes from Darren. Really hope he stays fit. Sometimes after a long time out you can pick up niggles so hoping he avoids that.

I think SAF mentioned that when Darren comes back he'll need to adjust his game and take up a more deeper role as he may not have the energy to be box to box as he was in the past.

Will be interesting how he plays and what role Moyes has him playing.
 
His attitude is great, so glad for him.
 
LR7 said:
I’m still building up my fitness, but I don’t want to take it easy. I’ve done enough of that, and I want to be involved, to get us back to where I know we should be. I think that’s the biggest determination for me. It’s difficult watching when the lads are winning, but a lot more difficult when they’re not winning. I want to help as much as I can, I want to keep picking up minutes, even if it’s with the reserves. Ultimately, the goal is to play in the first team, to be a part of the plans, and to bring success back to Manchester United".
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:devil:
 
Good comments, would be great if he's back even if its in a reduced role, definitely a good option to have if he can get near where he was, and he actually knows how to play there, so even if he plays as a squad player having someone else who understands the position will be a big aid. The other thing is he's got a great attitude, head never goes down, you could see him giving instructions on the pitch and as his own confidence in his game improves I'm sure we'll see him being more and more vocal which is something we could use.
 
You'd like to think it would motivate the whole team as well. He'll want it more than anyone else out there on the pitch and that's bound to be an inspiring influence.
 
Never expected him to be involved last night, but good to see him back with the first team. Showed plenty of experience and composure when he came on which was great. Understandably a bit rusty after the time he has been out, but you could tell his positioning and calmness helped steady the middle of the park.

Will be interesting to see if he can keep going with his recovery and get back to how he was pre-illness, or if he is destiny to only play a couple of games for us again before regressing again. Fingers crossed.
 
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