Manchester United's Darren Fletcher takes 'extended break'

Biz.Kid09 · 17 Jan 2013 at 22:51

Sad to hear this news.

Hope he can get treatment and just move into a coaching role maybe or an ambassador, having treatment and then starting to play football again will surely take a huge toll on him again.

FrankJH · 17 Jan 2013 at 22:56

I hope he stays with the club, but it will be a miracle to see him in the 1st team next season

chipperhead · 18 Jan 2013 at 08:52

I wouldn't write him off yet, if they remove his colon he'll no longer have colitis. I'm not sure his playing days are over.

Caseh · 18 Jan 2013 at 09:05

chipperhead said:
I wouldn't write him off yet, if they remove his colon he'll no longer have colitis. I'm not sure his playing days are over.

It's not that he will have colitis still, it's that it's a bloody big operation.

Tom84 · 18 Jan 2013 at 12:59

Fergie has been speaking on Fletch this afternoon

"This improves Darren's prospects of returning [to top form]," explained Sir Alex at his pre-Spurs press conference.

"He had to change his game and he hasn't been the Darren Fletcher of three or four years ago in the games this season. Instead, he was sitting in front of the back four and he did well. That could be his role in the future. When he comes back, and I hope he does, it will be in a different role."

"It was something we thought would happen anyway," Sir Alex added. "He tried his best to cope with the condition with the treatments he was using but, in the last couple of weeks, it's come back. This operation will hopefully solve the situation and we expect him to be back in July. It's a blow for the boy but given he's been dealing with the condition for a few years, it's just another step for him.

"He has fantastic character, he's a brilliant boy. He'll do his best, no doubt about that. He always does."

6thElement · 18 Jan 2013 at 13:02

Do teams get to change their Champions League squad this month?

TheSgtDK · 18 Jan 2013 at 16:08

6thElement said:
Do teams get to change their Champions League squad this month?

I don't think so, when Scholes came back he wasn't able to play.

One More Solo · 18 Jan 2013 at 16:12

Fletcher is a model pro but, as harsh as this is, is there really any point persisting with his playing career now? I'm sure the club could find an off pitch role for him.

Tom84 · 18 Jan 2013 at 16:18

6thElement said:
Do teams get to change their Champions League squad this month?

Yes, hence why people are always on about players who aren't cup tied in Europe

EDIT: Why is ocuk running so slow at the moment?

semi-pro waster · 18 Jan 2013 at 16:44

One More Solo said:
Fletcher is a model pro but, as harsh as this is, is there really any point persisting with his playing career now? I'm sure the club could find an off pitch role for him.

Maybe it's as much to give him a goal and hopefully speed his recovery as anything else? It may be he's unlikely to come back as good as he was before but if he can target returning to being a professional footballer at all that might keep his spirits up. Then again he might come back in a different role and be very good at it.

FrankJH · 18 Jan 2013 at 18:35

semi-pro waster said:
Maybe it's as much to give him a goal and hopefully speed his recovery as anything else? It may be he's unlikely to come back as good as he was before but if he can target returning to being a professional footballer at all that might keep his spirits up. Then again he might come back in a different role and be very good at it.

Spot on

At the end of this season I think he has two years left on his current deal which was signed in 2011 , I hope Utd find a good place for him when he comes back