Darren Fletcher

I refuse to call this anything but great news. Looks like he'll be ready in time for pre-season. He's still on the right side of thirty – and he'll be hungrier than any 18 year old to prove himself. As I've said before we can't expect him to return to his very best form – but he can be a very handy player for us nonetheless.

I doubt very much Moyes will let Fletch “get in the way” of signing a CM (as some seem to fear) if he is indeed after one. Moyes has probably been well aware of Fletch's status for a good while now.
 
It's pretty amazing that he's gotten to the point that he's even going to have a chance at any type of comeback, so congrats to him. Having said that it certainly should be seen as a bonus addition as opposed to a reason not to buy a couple of CM's.
 
While I'm glad for him, I sincerely hope the club's transfer policy is to proceed as if he wasn't coming back. Ie his return shouldn't factor into our decision making this summer. Atm we're going into the season with Carrick, Cleverley and Anderson as the only recognized centre mids. Adding Fletcher who hasn't played significant minutes in two years does not make that picture any prettier.
 
Bebe said:
While I'm glad for him, I sincerely hope the club's transfer policy is to proceed as if he wasn't coming back. Ie his return shouldn't factor into our decision making this summer. Atm we're going into the season with Carrick, Cleverley and Anderson as the only recognized centre mids. Adding Fletcher who hasn't played significant minutes in two years does not make that picture any prettier.
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Aye. And I have a feeling Moyes thinks just that too - to a greater extent than Fergie did. I doubt Moyes will use Giggs as a CM, for instance - possibly not Jones either.

And then there's Ando - I wouldn't be shocked if Moyes lets him go.

Which means he'll get someone in. Carrick, New Man, Cleverley and Fletcher may be our main quartet. If New Man is defensively solid I'd say that looks alright. And if Fletcher proves during pre-season that he's too far off the pace Moyes may even get in New Man II.

Anyway, the point remains that I don't think anyone needs to worry about Fletcher hampering Moyes' transfer plans - that won't happen.
 
:lol: Well clearly I think we DO need reinforcements this summer, primarily because Fletcher's form and fitness are still totally unknown variables so the last statement doesn't deserve the foaming at the mouth comments it may receive!
 
Reapersoul20 said:
Christ. A bit of rewritten history there. On the team of the season in 2010. Countless MOM performances. I assume this is a troll.
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Nope. Its been my opinion for ever and ever that Fletcher has been massively overrated on here. The rewriting of history is the notion that he was a great player in addition to being a destroyer. He never was.

He was a very useful and in 2010, incredibly needed player in our squad as we lacked creative quality in midfield. He made us able to play against clubs with arguably better midfields than us, such as Arsenal, because they couldnt handle his harrying style. Hes the kind of player who was necessary to field that season because of team flaws, but who shouldnt be part of a first 11 for any team that seeks to dominate the opposition.

He hardly ever contributed at all when played against lesser opposition in the PL. His passing is poor. He cant beat a man in midfield. All he has (had) is energy and that will never get back to the levels of 2010 after the kind of illness hes had.

If Moyes ends up having to play Fletcher in midfield this season then thats a resignation of any ambition to play attacking and creative football.
 
Name Changed said:
What exactly is United quality? Because he was certainly good enough before his illness.
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Ok, not United quality was a bit of an over the top fishing for reactions.

He is not the kind of player Manchester United should seek to have as part of our regular first 11. Decent enough squad player, but not for much more than in games where we feel so dominated quality wise that we decide to concede posession and control of the match before it even starts.
 
I highly doubt he'll be anything remotely near the player he used to be, and the player he used to be was probably just about good enough to be somewhere between a first team player and a squad player at his best. It seems pointless to me.
 
Brosstan said:
Nope. Its been my opinion for ever and ever that Fletcher has been massively overrated on here. The rewriting of history is the notion that he was a great player in addition to being a destroyer. He never was.

He was a very useful and in 2010, incredibly needed player in our squad as we lacked creative quality in midfield. He made us able to play against clubs with arguably better midfields than us, such as Arsenal, because they couldnt handle his harrying style. Hes the kind of player who was necessary to field that season because of team flaws, but who shouldnt be part of a first 11 for any team that seeks to dominate the opposition.

He hardly ever contributed at all when played against lesser opposition in the PL. His passing is poor. He cant beat a man in midfield. All he has (had) is energy and that will never get back to the levels of 2010 after the kind of illness hes had.

If Moyes ends up having to play Fletcher in midfield this season then thats a resignation of any ambition to play attacking and creative football.
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That's the point where your whole argument falls down like a house of cards making all your other negative comments inaccurate. Fletcher's passing had improved drastically when he peaked with us. he ended up being not only a defensive player but also a creative force in midfield who had a great eye for a pass and the technique to pull it off.
 
Brosstan said:
Ok, not United quality was a bit of an over the top fishing for reactions.

He is not the kind of player Manchester United should seek to have as part of our regular first 11. Decent enough squad player, but not for much more than in games where we feel so dominated quality wise that we decide to concede posession and control of the match before it even starts.
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When the Fletcher - Carrick partnership was doing pretty well it certainly didn't concede control of the game to the opposition or concede possession lightly. As a partnership they provided a very solid base, even against the big sides. The biggest criticism of that partnership was a lack of creativity through the centre, although Fletcher's passing was slowly improving before his illness ruined his form entirely.
 
Irwynwastheking said:
That's the point where your whole argument falls down like a house of cards making all your other negative comments inaccurate. Fletcher's passing had improved drastically when he peaked with us. he ended up being not only a defensive player but also a creative force in midfield who had a great eye for a pass and the technique to pull it off.
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Thats simply not true. Carrick kept us ticking and Fletcher in the easier games was a passenger more often than not. He was almost Denilson-like in the passing department. A rare time he would make a good surging run, but those were far between compared to what he could have been doing with his energy level. Remember it was seldom just Carrick + Fletcher duo back then either. We played a midfield 3 most of the time. Carrick - Fletcher + 1 more was a very stale and boring midfield with no creative edge. With Carrick as the obviously best deep lying controlling midfielder we had back then it was up to players like Fletcher to add the creative spark and he seldom did. Those midfields only worked well against CL teams away, Arsenal and Chelsea, and were painful to watch against the likes of Wolves.

For some reason Carrick received the major brunt of criticism between him and Fletcher back then even when it was very obvious that he was the better midfielder and that it was the other midfielders holding the team back.
 
Well barring digging out the games from the time and watching them together to explain to you the error of your ways I can assure you that Darren had become a very accomplished passer of the ball. You might disagree and answer with a long winded post with no real relation to the point being disputed, but he was.
 
Great news if true. I'm sure it'll be a boost to the lads and he deserves to be given every chance to come back.
 
Irwynwastheking said:
Well barring digging out the games from the time and watching them together to explain to you the error of your ways I can assure you that Darren had become a very accomplished passer of the ball. You might disagree and answer with a long winded post with no real relation to the point being disputed, but he was.
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Id love to sit down and have a watch with you ;)
 
But anyway, what kind of role do people see Fletcher given in the squad anyway if its true that hes coming back?

I cant see him coming ahead of Cleverley, but Anderson hasnt really cemented his spot in the squad... Another midfielder coming in would mean Fletcher as a 4th / 5th choice in midfield. Can see him being decent enough to have around to give Carrick a rest when we play against the bottom third teams. He did seem like Fergie was trying to mould him into some kind of worse version of Carrick when he played this season.
 
Brosstan said:
We played a midfield 3 most of the time. Carrick - Fletcher + 1 more was a very stale and boring midfield with no creative edge. With Carrick as the obviously best deep lying controlling midfielder we had back then it was up to players like Fletcher to add the creative spark and he seldom did. Those midfields only worked well against CL teams away, Arsenal and Chelsea, and were painful to watch against the likes of Wolves.
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This simply isn't true for the vast majority of games. In not a single season in recent memory have we ever played with a predominantly 3 man midfield.

We only went with a 3 man midfield against top 4 sides and Europe's big boys. And even then it was not always the case.

It's bizarre what people seem to remember from seasons gone by.
 
Totally impossible to sat until we see how he's performing and how regularly he can play. If he can get up to his previous best he will be in the squad every week based on current personnel.
 
Rowem said:
This simply isn't true for the vast majority of games. In not a single season in recent memory have we ever played with a predominantly 3 man midfield.

We only went with a 3 man midfield against top 4 sides and Europe's big boys. And even then it was not always the case.

It's bizarre what people seem to remember from seasons gone by.
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We played a lopsided midfield with Park / Giggs on the wing but practically playing more centrally in many games that season. It wasnt exactly a midfield 3, but its equally as wrong to claim it was a midfield 2.
 
I think people need to take a step back, forget the "midfield" discussion and just be happy for the guy. He's a top, top lad and has been a dedicated and hard working server for us and at his best was a fantastic player for us. To have been through what he has been through must have been incredibly tough for him and its a credit to him that he stuck in there and is hopefully through the worst and ready to get his career back.

If he can get back to where he was, which with his work ethic isn't hard to believe despite so long out then he will certainly help out that "midfield discussion".
 
Brosstan said:
We played a lopsided midfield with Park / Giggs on the wing but practically playing more centrally in many games that season. It wasnt exactly a midfield 3, but its equally as wrong to claim it was a midfield 2.
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Park, Giggs or Nani, and they only really went central in the final third. Hardly relying on Fletcher for creativity, although I think Fletcher was steadily adding to his game in that regard. When we had Beckham who was well and truly a right midfielder who tracked back and worked hard for the team, nobody would have called that a 3 man midfield.
 
londonredmaniac said:
Woah. I've just opened this thread and its taken me back to 2005.

The caf really is magic!!!
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feck you, mate! I just ran to look in the mirror, expecting to be 8 years younger! But no, I look just as butt ugly as this morning!!!


On a slightly more serious note, I think it's great news that Fletcher will be back. It must be difficult to be Moyes. Will he start bringing in players without having watched them intensively and extensively playing and at training, or will he give the players a fighting chance before he starts deciding?
 
Rowem said:
When the Fletcher - Carrick partnership was doing pretty well it certainly didn't concede control of the game to the opposition or concede possession lightly. As a partnership they provided a very solid base, even against the big sides. The biggest criticism of that partnership was a lack of creativity through the centre, although Fletcher's passing was slowly improving before his illness ruined his form entirely.
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Yeah I agree, that combo gets harshly criticized on here imo. I've said it before but the Fletcher of 09 with the Carrick off this season/last season would be an excellent combo. No doubt it would lack that extra bit of spark the best players have but it would provide a great base for me and would allow the wingers/strikers a much better platform to work off and give them the assurance of not having to all track back as much as they do.

Given it's unlikely that Fletch will reach the level he was on again, and may have pushed on from it's a real shame that they both hit their best form at different times. I'd love it if Fletch can just get back to being an option for us as it'd be a bonus.

Ideally if he is doing some training now they'll be able to have an idea how feasible it is he could return to the first team squad for the start of the season. I don't see why they couldn't spend a month or two properly assessing him and targeting a more creative midfielder as we'll still need to add. If he's looking good though then maybe we could hold off getting a second midfielder. Carrick, clev, a rejuvinated fletch and a new player would be a good pool of options, with jones, powell and giggs around as well. Think it's time for Ando to move on sadly.
 
Pexbo said:
I think people need to take a step back, forget the "midfield" discussion and just be happy for the guy. He's a top, top lad and has been a dedicated and hard working server for us and at his best was a fantastic player for us. To have been through what he has been through must have been incredibly tough for him and its a credit to him that he stuck in there and is hopefully through the worst and ready to get his career back.

If he can get back to where he was, which with his work ethic isn't hard to believe despite so long out then he will certainly help out that "midfield discussion".
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Well said.

We've concluded that we currently have three proper CM options. One of these is still a prospect, one has a huge question mark over his head - and only the third is a certain starter. Getting Fletcher back - in unknown form and match fitness - doesn't change this picture dramatically. Moyes obviously understands this. Whether he'll go for a CM or two in the transfer market doesn't depend on Fletcher at all.

So, people should just be happy for the lad: There's no reason to put a negative spin on this. At worst it will turn out that his hiatus has affected his sharpness too much. At best we regain a very good CM option. Either way Moyes isn't going to build his midfield around a player who is presently an X-factor and will in all likelihood remain so until the season is well underway. The man ain't stupid.
 
And to think some are disappointed that it might get in the way of their previous transfer ***.

Hope he makes it back. One of my favourites in the squad. Senior player who came up through the ranks, you can never have too many of them.
 
Darren is one of my favorite players. I've really missed his late runs into the box. Such a good player. Carrick is a better passer of course he is, but Fletcher very rarely gives the ball away, and is very good defensively.

Scores some very important goals too.
 
This thread feels like it has gone back a year. Didn't we have the same stuff come out about him then as well. It would be great if he could come back and play consistently for us again, but as much as I would like to see it, I can't really see it happening.

We really should just be viewing Fletcher as possibility of playing a few games, but not really anything more than that. The club should be planning on the worst case this time round in terms of the squad with the assumption that he will regress again after a couple of games.. That way anything more than that is a bonus and we aren't caught short if he can't handle matches every week.
 
As I said all along, no reason why he can't get back to his former fitness. Also overcoming the complex surgery is an achievement in itself so that would have added even more determination and desire to this personality.

Just hope he remembers how to kick the ball!

Chuffed to bits for him.
 
Cina said:
I highly doubt he'll be anything remotely near the player he used to be, and the player he used to be was probably just about good enough to be somewhere between a first team player and a squad player at his best. It seems pointless to me.
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Finally someone to say this. I said even before, that while RAWK has the Lucas Leiva syndrome, we have the Fletcher syndrome. Seriously there are people here who think that we would have defeated Barca if Fletcher would have played in that game.

Personally, I think that he was good at those years, but not in Carrick's level of last few years (though different positions) and Carrick-Fletcher partnership was a bit painful to watch, though defensively it was very solid.

Anyway, I don't think that we should gamble on his fitness. With Ando gone (which I think should and will happen), we need two midfielders, a creative one and a back up for Carrick. If Fletcher somehow comes to his best than ok, we have probably more personnel than we need, but better than to go in the entire season with Carrick, Cleverley and the new signing, or God forbid with Carrick, Cleverley and Ando.
 
Cina said:
There's no way he'll get back to his best, you're all feckin' deluded.
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I can't say I have seen anyone claim he will get back to his best. Folk are happy for him, hoping he might be able to contribute again (which isn't hopelessly unrealistic).
 
Revan said:
Finally someone to say this. I said even before, that while RAWK has the Lucas Leiva syndrome, we have the Fletcher syndrome. Seriously there are people here who think that we would have defeated Barca if Fletcher would have played in that game.

Personally, I think that he was good at those years, but not in Carrick's level of last few years (though different positions) and Carrick-Fletcher partnership was a bit painful to watch, though defensively it was very solid.

Anyway, I don't think that we should gamble on his fitness. With Ando gone (which I think should and will happen), we need two midfielders, a creative one and a back up for Carrick. If Fletcher somehow comes to his best than ok, we have probably more personnel than we need, but better than to go in the entire season with Carrick, Cleverley and the new signing, or God forbid with Carrick, Cleverley and Ando.
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He would have improved our chances, absolutely no question about that.
 
Chesterlestreet said:
I can't say I have seen anyone claim he will get back to his best. Folk are happy for him, hoping he might be able to contribute again (which isn't hopelessly unrealistic).
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Maybe, but quite a few have said that he can become a good player for us and improve our midfield and give us more options there are what not, but that's so unrealistic. I don't mean to be brutal here, but the last time he came back he looked an absolute shadow of what he used to be, and now he's been absent for another year. There's being sentimental for a player and then there's being realistic about the fact that we're one of the biggest clubs in the world and quite frankly, sentimentality shouldn't come into the equation with a player. I just can't see any scenario where he'll make a come back and be good enough to play for our team.
 
Yeah but saying he'd improve our chances is sort of like saying he'd have provided us with Vaseline before Barcelona bent us over and bummed us.
 
Elliott said:
He would have improved our chances, absolutely no question about that.
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No doubt at all. And our odds in that match were significantly better to begin with, compared to the sequel two years ago (only a miracle could have given us a result there).
 
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