Darren Fletcher has had even some of his harshest critics singing his praises recently, following solid performances last season in the big games, as well as a good start to this campaign.
With three league goals, he’s also United’s top scorer so far, something we wouldn’t have predicted when looking at the wealth of attacking talent we have in our squad.
With Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves spending much of the season out injured, Fletcher has filled in competently in midfield. However, Sir Alex Ferguson has today admitted that with plenty of clubs trying to buy him in the summer, he was worried his fellow Scot would make the same mistake as Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, and move on for more first team football.
“The relief of the season was to get Darren a new contract because there were a lot of clubs trying to buy him,” said Ferguson. “He had one year left but he wanted more football. Leaving could easily have been a consideration simply because with Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes and Anderson there is so much competition.”
At the beginning of October, Fletcher signed a new 4-year-deal, citing the ‘amazing spirit’ at the club as a reason for staying on, much to Fergie’s relief.
“I just felt Darren is a United player,” Ferguson added. “He is outstanding in big games, when he always does such a great job. I told him he had been brought up at this club and after January, he had been playing in all the big games until he got an injury and not to forget he came back and played some more. It convinced him to stay, which was what we wanted because now he is such an important player for us. He has developed his game and taken it to a new level.”
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In a word, YES! Much of the criticism levelled at him has been unfair. Remember he was playing in the first team for us when at the same age Beckham had been sent out on loan to Preston! Many footballers only really make that quantum leap forward in their mid twenties. Remember Lampard at West Ham?(even though i still feel he’s over hyped). Its about time we got a chant going for him as we seem to have chants for players who have shown very little in terms of loyalty and pride in our shirt. Credit where its due, well done Fletch> He’ll get even better yet!
Absolutely. He’s gangly and seems unco-ordinated in comparison to a lot of premier athletes but if you watch him closely then you can see that he’s also got real skills. His goal scoring and passing have been surprising to many but Darren Fletcherinho is not just a headless chicken. He’s also a through-and-through Red. I know it’s the wrong thing to do but he reminds me of Dirty Patrick in terms of his awkward physicality. The important thing to remember is that this kid “lost” two-plus years through injuries in his late teens and has been playing catch-up ever since. SAF has always spoken about him in the highest terms – Keane-o less so but, then, Roy did try to buy him in the summer !
he just knew what can expect from United
Yes.
SOMEONE OUT THERE MUST HAVE PETE BOYLES PHONE NUMBER
FLETCH NEEDS A CHANT
He’s been fantastic!
I hate making this comparison because I absolutely loath the negative aspects of the man and am quick to call him a cunt, but as much at pains me to say it Viera was a dominating and almost complete CM at times. And, Fletch looks like he could be a young prototype of the frenchman….(minus the dirty diving cheating pussy traits…)
You have to remember Fletch was trhough into Utd’s midfield when Giggsys pace was starting to go, Keano was past it, Ronaldo was still raw and the only one producing was Scholesy, he did make mistakes but he had the swingers to keep going and not let any stick get to him, i always knew he’d come good! Would like to see abit more beef on him, but if thats the Physique he’s been dealt then who am i to fault him.. Top Performer, and he if he keeps carrying on the way he is, the midfield should be Carrick & Fletch!
In the last couple of years his talent has really shown when given the chance. He is still only 24 and will still improve considerably.
Michael Carrick wasn’t exactly a world class player at 24 having only just joined Spurs.
Glad we kept Fletch.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh9sVG5Cbmk
Coogie: I liked what I saw of Anderson AND Fletcherinho tonight. These two really do complement one another. However, SAF’s rotation policy means that there will no doubt be another combination in the engine-room on the weekend. And, that’s a good thing because you just never know who is going to get injured so counting on “regulars” is a risky business.
Drew Vader: yeah, the comparisons with Dirty Patrick are hard to avoid even if Fletcherinho will likely never be as good as Vieira was in his prime. Still, it’s a measure of the incredible progress that Fletcherinho has made in the past couple of years that my comparison was not a cause for mass slaughter and foul-mouthed attacks. There are still some hold-outs but, if you watch the game, then it’s obvious that # 24 has become a very, very good player who is not out of his depth among a cast of real superstars.
Hell yeah Denton. Fletch was my MOTM tonight against the Hammers