Manchester United have confirmed that Darren Fletcher has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Fletcher has had planned surgery to resolve his Ulcerative Colitis condition. Fletcher needed a period of sustained good general health before he could have the operation, which the club believe he has shown by training with the team regularly and featuring in some first team games.
An official club statement reads: Whilst it is frustrating for both Darren and the Club that he won’t be able to contribute further during this campaign, this decision has been taken with our full support in the best interests of his long-term health and we look forward to him returning next season with this problem firmly behind him.
Hopefully he will be able to return for the pre-season and get himself in good shape for the start of next season. However, with him turning 30 next season and having not played regular football throughout the season since 2010-2011, there will obviously be question marks over whether he has a future at United. Fingers crossed. If not, you imagine he will be offered a role within the club and work with the youth.
Man Utd News 24/7
This condition was always going to be difficult to get over. If anything the fact that he is undergoing surgery increases his chances of recovery.
He’ll play again. He’s a class act! I’m sure – barring any complications of surgery – he could play on for a few years!
Hopefully this will improve his health massively so his career does not have to end.
What a shame that he has to go through all this. He seems to be such a great guy.
Don’t know what this means about his career. Some folks that know of it, have predicted that he will never fully heal. The club speaks like he will address it for good.
I feel for the lad. Fate has dealt him a cruel hand and I hope to fuck he can live a healthy life from now on.
As far as the club is concerned, I’m sorry but we’ve been acting dumb for over a year now. Why haven’t we bought a midfielder in Fletcher’s mould? We just keep coming up with excuses not to buy one. And going by this statement (and Fergie’s comments yesterday about Giggsy staying on another season), I suspect we won’t buy one next summer either.
Im just glad that his condition is operable! Hopefully his games this season were played with this eventual surgery in mind? All the best either way mate!
BTW I don’t think he’ll be past it by 30. Will he be the same player as 5/6 years ago? No chance, but how many players are? What we do know is Darren has loads of experience and he can read the game, so I’d be happy to have him in our Squad as an option.
Who knows, if he really can “put this problem firmly behind him” and string a run of games together he could feature more than we think than season. I wouldn’t say his career is over. He’s a hard bastard as is.
Hope he gets well soon.
Anyone else think that the United PR team could of ended that press release with a better line than “with this problem firmly behind him”?
Fletcher is a fighter, that’s our only hope. Get well son.
Luckily the club is strong and depth is good. Even the greatest players need time to sort themselves.
Heath has to be his priority now. Sad Day.
I hope he recovers and gets well soon, although I hope Fergie finally invests in a defensive midifielder! I’ve always fetl that after Haargeaves left, the reason why we never bought another one is becasue Sir Alex has been hoping to get Darren back, but I think it’s high time to realize that it’s at least next season till he’s back and probably next year till he’s the same player he once was.
Gutted for the lad – surgery must be a last resort otherwise they would have attempted it before
Big risk for the rest of the season – only got 3 starting CMS in my view left with Scholes and Giggs of the bench and two of them are injury prone
a superstar
a worl-class player you are, I hope you come back stronger than ever
Fletcher played some games at this season and impressed me, shame he isn’t in full strength
Fletcher the legend for me
Personally I think we saw the last of Fletcher in a United shirt.
He wasn’t even close to the Fletcher he was before his illness and he won’t be next season.
As much as I hate to say it, but give the place to someone who can contribue to the team.
Even considering operation with his illness means that he’s in a bad state.
All the best for the rest of his live.
Offer him a job inside the club.
But competetive sport isn’t an option for him anymore..
Just get well Darren, if you’ll play again then that’s great but the main thing is your health. You are a superb role-model no matter what.
The problem with Ulcerative colitis, is that its an autoimmune reaction within the lining cells of Colon.The walls are filled with inflammatory reaction and this ongoing process will eventually damage the epithelial cells to a point creating large ulcers.The patient usually as in our case”poor Darren”having periods of sever crampy abdominal pain, Diarrhea and eventually ending up with malabsorption.there is an intermittent waxing and waning sometimes with sever bloody stool.there are medical treatment that will halt the process of inflammation and limit the ulceration for a while, of course this should be with a special diet for the rest of your life.but as I said the nature of the ailment is so deterring and progressive that ultimately end up with operation, by cutting down that segment of colon, sometimes nearly 1/3 or 2/3 will be removed and this again will need a thorough follow up, the patient need to take special diet that can best suit this new short colon, besides he should undergo periodic endoscopy to exclude recurrence.there is also a bad news about this illness, that it carries the risk of malignant transformation within the next 1–15 years.
I feel for the lad, this disease came like a curse ruining his entire career.hope he can handle it well and recover completely, although I personally don’t think so.hope he can prove me wrong, he was such a warrior.best of the luck:))
@Zelh
Sad but true. It’s just a shame the club doesn’t seem to see it and keeps burdening him with unfair expectations.
Just reading the club statement closely. The key new word is surgery.
Unless I am mistaken, the typical surgical fix for this condition involves removing part of all of the large intestine and bowel. Replacing same with a pouch.
Unless there is a partial procedure, this sounds like the end to an illustrious playing career.
Ofcourse, the close of one road always opens others to view. One can be sure that Darren has earned the backing of the Club and the fans in whatever lies ahead.
Health should come before football, finger crossed my hero.
I pity him, soo unlucky
Quick recovery lad
@Fletch
I thought about that type of surgery but surely Darren’s situation hasn’t reached that point yet? I hope not.
Costas. Hats off mate. You saw right through Fergie last week. Dodgy pitch my ass was it?!
I found this funny, found in ManUtd. com forum. which is a mess
a comment from “ti vu” whoever he is 
some said he only said Buttner. anyway, please read haha
QUOTE
“Why did SAF address Buttner as Nicolas? I thought Buttner has the same first name as SAF, “Alexander” A.K.A “Alex”. Is Buttner that bad that SAF mistook him with the former gooner Nicolas Bendtner?”
“We have several other players who needed a game like Nani, Wayne Rooney, Anderson and Nicolas Buttner. So we had six players who had a run-out at a crucial time of the season with Real Madrid coming up and Tottenham on Sunday, so that is good news for us tonight.”
Source: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8401708/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-hails-Chris-Smalling-and-Phil-Jones-after-cup-victory
One answered like this hahah about SAF
QUOTE
“If Sir Alex wants to call him Nicolas then that’s what Sir Alex is gonna do. That’s just how he rolls man.”
FUNNY.
He will be having his entire large bowel removed, I wouldn’t expect this to be the end of his career. Unlike Crohn’s disease Ulcerative colitis only affects the large bowel, so with it removed assuming no complications this is a curative procedure.
@Fletch
Cheers mate. The facts weren’t really adding up, so it wasn’t that hard.
Darren played around 950 minutes of football for club and country until Dec 2nd and only 8 minutes since then. It must have been something other than the heavy pitches. Wakey also suspected something was up.
Here is an abstract Medical website, explaining nearly everything about Ulcerative colitis
http://www.fpnotebook.com/GI/IBD/UlcrtvClts.htm
Get well soon fletcher
Truly gutted. Players like Fletch, Evans and Welbeck are why I love this club, promotion from within. Their “dream” is to play at Old Trafford and they work damn hard to make that happen, live right by themsleves, set examples for young aspiring kids as to what it takes to succeed. For all of their god given ability, they’ve had to put in so much time to get anywhere near the starting XI. They may not be the most talented prospects while growing up but they earn their keep. I’d take any of them gladly before I’d shell out for some toe-rag cunt named Samir or some princess, primadona named Neymar. Fucking heart, that’s what I love and that’s what United’s built on.
May the powers that be, upstairs looking over, bless Darren back to a healthy, pain-free life. Whether that includes football or not I don’t care, just happy to look after our own. Get well Fletcher
A tear is drawn to my eye when I think of how badly Fletcher got jobbed against Arsenal missing out on a CL final. Fate is a cruel bitch and I’m sure even our most hated rivals would look at this situation, shake their heads and wish him well in recovery.
I wish him a quick recovery! “but shouldn’t b that b a reason to sign one mid?? Sneijder Strootman or Wanyama maybe???
Hmm surgery doesn’t necessarily mean a pouch, depends on a variety of circumstances. On the other hand this does mean Fletch will at best be a squad player next season having already crossed thirty. If we are not buying then Sir Alex prolly has faith in the likes of Tunni to step up, although it is extremely unusual for Utd not to have established cover for a crucial position. Likely we will buy in the summer. In the meanwhile just hope Jones can fill in there if needed.
And of course hope he emerges from this well and truly healthy and raring to go.
Massive blow, for the club, for us, and most of all, for Darren himself. How cruel life can be, eh?
Sadly, I am not optimistic about his chances of coming back as a true force on the football field. I hope I am proved wrong. I know the club is trying to sound up-beat but to a large extent, I don’t think they have a choice. They have to put on a brave face (either that, or admit it is over for him, which they would be reluctant to do, since that would involve some of insurance and/or contractual pay-out).
As for replacing him: that’s not so easy to do. Yes, there are similar players out there, but few of those are United quality, and it’s not just a case of us snapping our fingers. Really, it isn’t.
I genuinely believe SAF has moved way beyond the strategy of replacing “like with like”. He has said it himself, and his words have been backed up by his actions. For years, us fans expected (and hoped) he would “find another Keane”. But Sir Alex knew that was fruitless: there isn’t another Keane. Likewise, Scholes.
The genius of Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t that he has a particular plan or strategy or style, and a knack of for finding the right players to fit into it. That’s the problem that other managers have — and that’s why so many managers go “stale” only a few years after joining a club. Because you can only get away with that approach for so long. The genius of Sir Alex is this: he understands that in order to build long-term, sustainable success, the manager must be able to work the other way around — he must be able to take the best players he can get hold of (whatever their individual strengths, weaknesses and styles) and mould them into an effective playing unit. He understands that while there may be some consistent elements to the team’s strategy and style (for example, the use of wide players, the use of counter-attack), many of the details will vary depending on the specific players at his disposal.
Thus, the team is constantly evolving, not in squad personnel, but in style, tactics and strategies.
If vidic is our warrior then what is darren fletcher, great player and our unsung hero always gave his all but i cant see him being the same player again. I think we should try and sign sneider on loan as a short term solution because without fletch our mid is depleted and if clev/carrick get injured ando isn’t fit enough to play very game, giggs is better on the wing and scholes looks knackered again
Oops, I meant “the team is constantly evolving, not ONLY in squad personnel, but in style, tactics and strategies.”
How cruel life can be ? … get some perspective he is a multi-millionaire who cant play football for a few months. Shame but not a tragedy.
The new passing style Fergie wants doesn’t suit Fletcher. He has his talents but cannot be relied upon getting the ball in tight spaces and in a team playing a passing game.
In the cup game at Newcastle he played the “holding role” really well. Using his experience, strength and work rate to disturb the rhythm of Newcastle. He lost the ball with poor touch and poor passes.
… countless times. Unacceptable.
Try living with that problem for a week Daniel and then come back and tell us if life was cruel on Fletcher or not.
I dont understand this debate about buying a midfielder
We have ando, clevz, carrick as obvious starters aswell as giggs, scholes, powell, kagawa and even jones that can do a great job too.
Not to mention tunnicliffe, petrucci, pereira and daehli.
And the fact our midfield has never been in a situation it needs rooney to drop back.. And has been great this season, incase you forgot we are 7 points clear!
Out of interest, who would you want to add to that list to replace carrick or clevz in our starting 11?
Daniel88 lives life with his head up his own arse, some perspective huh?
Daniel88 i hope i get to see you face to face at some point in my life, hopefully in the not too distant future
Mark – I also winced when I read their “problem firmly behind him”:
… oops, perhaps I should have ended that sentence with a semi-colon?
Why is it that Ulcerative Colitis gets such a bum rap?
@Dan-young
Carrick will be 32 this year and Anderson has yet to convince he’ll ever be reliable enough to string together multiple starts. I am not a scout so I don’t know who’s out there, but the team badly needs a defensive midfielder as backup. A fit Fletcher could have offered that option but he’s out of the picture and has been for a while. I think a lot of fans would be surprised at how dependent the team is on Carrick staying fit. But we can’t keep pushing our luck like that.
The only person i would debate bringing in really is wilshere. Hes young, english and is becoming a better player now then he was before his injury. A wilshere-clevz combo would be great for club and country. But i do think that tunni is going to be a great midfielder for us in a few years, aswell as powell and pereira
@Costas, DreadedRed and Dan-young
All three responses yielded not a single argument against mine.
@Dan-young
I dont know where you live Dan but I am here in Middleton. Feel free to pop by for cuppa.
Daniel, garbage is to be tossed away, not argued with. Next time be more respectful of players that have given their all for the team you support.
Darren Fletcher (ManUtd #24)
312 appearances and 24 goals. Both these numbers are divisible by 24.
erm Kinda freaky that?!
Joined club at age 11. 11 senior seasons. Never went on loan. What a player!
true “Born and Red” son of United lad.
Wishing Fletcherinho a full and speedy recovery
Daniel88
This is a football website where we all talk about football and footballers and football clubs.
It’s all about United in the world of football.
When a United player (that has come all the way through the ranks at our club) has the possible early end of his career in sight, it is death. The death of him as a footballer. It is a fucking tragedy.
Then there’s the fact that Darren Fletcher bleeds Red.
Love fletcher to bits.But I think it’s time when the club and fans realize that it is unfair to pile expectations on his shoulders about being the player that he was couple of years ago when clearly he hasn’t got the physical requirements to do so.
We can discuss your blind refusal to accept our central midfield is woefully under equipped in terms of quality and quantity.
Michael Carrick is past thirty.
Anderson is very talented but cant play four games in a row.
Tom Cleverley is a good player but he isn’t the standard to overhaul Barca and Bayern.
Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are nearly forty.
Darren Fletcher has his obvious problems.
Nick Powell is not ready for the first team and isn’t a central midfielder even when he is.
Phil Jones is a central defender.
Shinji Kagawa isn’t a central midfielder either.
Barca = Busquets, Xavi, Ineista, Cesc, Mascherano, Song, Thiago
Bayern = Martinez, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Gustavo
How many of the players playing in midfield for the best two club teams in the world would get into our TEAM on a regular basis ? … I count SIX from Barca and THREE from Bayern …. EASILY !!!!. I could easily argue for at least one more.
Freaky conincidence?
After 11 seasons. Fletch scores the winner v QPR
Our No 24, scores his 24th career goal, after 11 seasons, on 24/ 11/ 2012
https://twitter.com/FletchTM/status/292023018530680832/photo/1
Oi me, I love a good conspiracy!
@DreadedRed and Costas
Its a sad situation but in the grand scheme of things … tragedy … might be a little strong.
They call the death of a few dozen children by a maniac gunman a tragedy.
If this is a football site to discuss football, when I make a point doesn’t that mean you should counter with a point about football (if you have one, which you clearly dont) not cry like some little kid.
Daniel88
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html
We must do BETTER! We must be STRONGER! We must win EVERYTHING!
I WANT MORE, and I want it NOW!
As much as I love Fletcher and hope he will someday return as strong as he was before the illness, we need to face reality as well. I had the same hopes for Owen Hargreaves, who then went on and gave us the middle finger by desperetaly joining Man City. I of course know that Fletcher would never do such a thing and I think Ferguson will not give up on him easily, so he might postpone any purchases of new midfielders until he is 100% sure that Fletcher is out for good.
I however think it’s time to go for Fellaini at Everton next summer. Big, strong, hard working and has goals and assists in him as well. Chelsea are looking to buy him by activating the release clause in his contract at 22m pounds.
Daniel88
“They call the death of a few dozen children by a maniac gunman a tragedy.”
The operative word being “They”
“They” are focussed on World Affairs, with tragedy being their best seller.
Many Reds live and die with Manchester United as their all. Some visit RoM.
It is a fucking tragedy if Fletch’s career is cut short.
You don’t have to feel that way. Talking about children going off the edge of a cliff in a bus won’t change anyone’s view of Fletch’s malaise. Anyway, going off a cliff is fuck-all, imagine being eaten alive by rats.
Daniel, don’t play dumb. Mocking Fletcher’s condition had nothing to do with a football discussion. Seriously, go research what the guy is suffering from.
Good football point at 22:42 though. Keep it up.
A lot has been said about our apparent weak midfield.I am inclined to think that fergie has something made up in his mind.Whether the answer can be found from our youth or the transfer market is all there to see but it is unlike him to have a glaring deficiency in the crucial areas of the pitch go unnoticed .Have patience lads.
I don’t see a glaring deficiency. Perhaps I’m wearing my 7-point shades.
best wishes go out to Fletcher hope he has a speedy recovery.
have met him,a very decent lad…..
I am no pundit and have little knowledge about the technical aspects of the game.But I believe cleverly is trying to be the energetic box to box midfielder we are all craving for.If we don’t acquire that type of midfielder in the summer It’s the only option we have in our team.Although anderson can be used to provide some physicality through the middle,he often gets injured to be trusted with that role.
In my post at 23:16
By glaring deficiency I meant the need for a combative mid and cover for carrick.it came out a bit strong
That’s all good UnitedFaithful! Great moniker, by the way.
I’m generally happy with the squad. Add a 7 point cushion to the mix, and I’m bopping.
@ DreadedRed
… while being top of the worst set of teams in the PL for YEARS does give me a great deal of comfort.
I dont have snazzy links but please think back to May 27th 2009, May 28th 2011 and March 15th 2012.
We are NOWHERE near where we need to be … NOWHERE. I do not like being a european also-ran.
such a sad situation
feel for the boy…
we must buy a central mid if we r to win the champions league this year…we are down to bare bones with only clevz n ando(who are injury prone) and scholes and giggs(who i NEVER want to see starting a game in CM) and our mr reliable carrick(god forbid any injury)!
Jones is NOT a midfielder…and yes he is SHOCKING when he plays there.fair play to the lad he gives his best,but he JUST CANT PLAY THERE.
i think sneijder should be back on our radar now,a 5 mill bid with 100 k a week and he will be ours…he so obviously is waiting for a club to come get him and he doesnt want gala,along with the fact hes not cup tied,which makes it all the better.
GO ON FERGIE SIGN HIM UP
Cleverley is fine the way he is. i dont feel he will evolve into a box to box midfielder, his style of pass and play is not centered around covering every blade of grass, nor is he the sort of defensive presence that would provide cover. He, with his energy and his ability to affect the tempo of a game, is great and as long as he adds a goal scoring threat we cant ask more. With his energy he does make the job of defenders easier, both by retaining possession and harrying the opposition, but he isn’t a tackler like Fletch or an intercepter like Carrick. He naturally gravitates further up the pitch. The screening role carrick provides is the issue here. in the gaffer we trust. Seven points clear at the top, one does tend to look at the potential areas where we could mess up. Full backs have improved with a simple buy, defense appears to be stabilizing. So midfield it is.
Another midfielder gone from an already lightweight midfielder.
Get well soon Fletch, but I don’t think he will play football again.
Fergie MUST now stop the Giggs praises and start looking for a CM
Daniel88
Nowhere? That’s hardly true. 3 finals in the last 6 years is not ‘nowhere’. Also, we’re into the last 16, topped our group with games in hand. If we are ‘nowhere’, then I know where I wanna be.
Anyway, it seems that total domination of Europe is your demand. Easier said than done.
Dreadedred
Thanks mate.It’s not the league that concerns me its the CL actually.We are more than okay in the PL.But Europe can be a different beast altogether as seen by our last season outing.
Also our matches against Real madrid will tell us where we stand in Europe. Sometimes only way to find out is by direct experience. The team is beginning to develop a dynamic now. Our style of play and our squad have evolved significantly. We will find out where we stand. Mind you Barca are operating at a different level these days. Europe is always a priority for Utd, and i am not one for missing out on any potential trophies, but surely after last season no 20 has to be the most important target. We can have a go at Europe once we’ve put the pretenders in their place and maybe just strengthened the squad that little bit more. Feels like we’re pulling out of a transition so European expectations might be just a bit premature but would absolutely love to be proved wrong…
Off topic:
Giggs says Wayne is still our Penalty taker.
Now Roy Keane comes out saying Wayne has taken his last pen under Sir Alex.
http://mirr.im/SaABlo
Manchester United’s penalties this season
Taker Date and game Scored? Result
Robin van Persie Sept 2 v Southampton No Won 3-2
Javier Hernandez Sept 15 v Wigan No Won 4-0
Nani Sept 19 v Galatasaray No Won 1-0
Robin van Persie Sept 23 v Liverpool Yes Won 2-1
Ryan Giggs Oct 31 v Chelsea Yes Lost 5-4
Wayne Rooney Nov 3 v Arsenal No Won 2-1
Wayne Rooney Nov 7 v Braga Yes Won 3-1
Wayne Rooney Dec 1 v Reading Yes Won 4-3
Wayne Rooney Jan 16 v West Ham No Won 1-0
Think the entire organization needs to look at itself. More time needs to be spent on Pens.
Get it sorted Fergie.
Red dreams all. I’m off!
Even if he doesn’t play again after the surgery, which I hope he does, SAF has already stated several times that he is guaranteed a role within the club. Fletcher is a Red Devil through and through and I wish him the best with his surgery.
we do need another CM badly, I was hoping we would buy one this jan to give backup to carick and cleverly, but come the summer, we will need to invest in another CM
I am gutted for fletch, however i hope that prompts the gaffer to bring in a midfielder with similar qualities and none of the “getting darren back will be like a new signing, you have to feel sorry for the lad” yes we all will feel sorry for him, doesn’t mean we don’t want a replacement in the midfield department.
Lets not kid ourselves we may have been in the final in 2009 and 2011 but we didn’t deserve to be on the same pitch as them.
” Anyway, it seems that total domination of Europe is your demand ”
- HEY ! ! ! … He is finally starting to underfuckingstand ! ! !.
I cant think of a reason the biggest club in the world shouldn’t have the best team.
Champions of England !!!
Champions of Europe !!!
Champions of The World !!!
UnitedFaithful – It’s so difficult to win the CL, and the best clubs have only won it a few times. I’m always worried about our chances. Yet we seem to do so well (3 finals in 6 years), that I always know we’re respected contenders. Of course we could be stronger, and I believe you can’t have too much quality, so I welcome any additions that the gaffer makes.
We have one of the strongest squads in world football. No doubt.
The 88th Book of Daniel lusts after the entire midfield of our opponents and biggest threats.
I don’t want any of them. I want to beat them. With this squad, that we have built. The squad that has evolved inexorably for decades. All those players in all those winning teams, all chosen by Fergie. The same Fergie that chose all our current players. Our team beats their team. That’s what it’s about.
What has being “the biggest club in the world” got to do with it?
Daniel88 – what a load of BS, now its one thing saying they were better which they were, but to sit there and spout that garbage, united did not deserve to be on the same pitch has them, just go away now. In 2009, before united lost to barca, lets cross off the trophy’s united had picked up before that defeat
2006 league cup winners
2007 PL winners
2008 PL and CL winners
2009 PL world club cup and league cup winners
we also competed in the super cup got to the fa cup semi’s, and a game in the community shield
in that same season of 2008/09 united competed in 67 games that season, which is incredible
38 PL games
all 13 CL games
all 5 FA cup games
all 6 league cup games
the side games like, the 2 world club cup games
the community shield,
the super cup
add those games up 67 games
So do not come on here, and spout utter garbage, when that united squad did a sensational job that season hey united competed in 67 games that year, and still had a game to spear in the PL to retain it.. Any side that competes in 67 games, wins a PL and league cup success, get to the CL final, wins the world club cup, returns to PL action and still goes on to win it with a game to spear, that was a damn good side to me. How about you go away, and stop spouting your anti united posts, because your a complete Moran
You simply must not have watched the CL finals in 09 and 11. The gulf between the two teams was embarrassing.
The first stage in solving a problem is realizing you have one.
We got completely outclassed in both games against a team that finished 6th in La Liga.
I am not a complete ” Moran “.
LOL.
The champions League is not only an extremely difficult competition to win but also to remain competitive in. Over the last decade United have done just that; been there or thereabouts and that frankly is remarkable. We beat barca before and we can do it again. its personnel on the day that counts, and often split second decisions, or injuries etc can end up defining the tournament. Chelsea are currently champions of europe but that proves nothing does it? its consistently being there. Barca and atletic have proven that maybe we have regressed in terms of tactics in terms of facing a particular type of continental opponent. Maybe the loss of key personnel, injuries etc meant we were not as good on the day or heck it could even be Carlos queiroz departing and us losing some of our tactical finesse in the backroom. It could be also that we disassembled one of the greatest ever squads from 08 and yet still managed to be competitive in the coming years. It could be that despite being confronted with the rising threat of ridiculous oil money at home and an unprecedented injury crisis we managed to soldier on not only in the league but stayed in touch with Europe. All with crippling debt. United is an ideal, an inspiration to keep fighting. To continue honoring our tradition and keep the passion flowing. Its a credit to the manager and the way the club functions. We’ve learnt our lessons, and we’ll be back competing. Thats the most anyone can ask from any club.
Daniel88 – you are a Moran, you have proven it. You randomly come on here, wank off on how great the Spanish duo are, which Madrid are not, and in the process bash united, we get it, they were better than united. in 2009 united still were a special side, and in 2011, united were unstoppable at OT. Both 2009 and 2011 sides were really good sides, ah yes madrid still cannot even get to a CL final, funny fact, Madrid have not reached a CL final since beckham broke his foot
If you look at that barca side, without buquetes xavi iniesta cesc and messi, that barca side are nothing special. And without messi, where are barca going to get their goals? none of that backline is better than what united have got, and they have put all their eggs in one basket with messi.Yes messi is better than united’s entire 3 strikers, but besides the united defense in need of rebuilding, the rest of the spine carrick cleverly rooney RVP is up there with the best in europe
I was not embarrassed. We lost to an excellent team, on top of their game.
I am embarrassed by you. A United fan (I presume) that is embarrassed to be a Red.
Poor showing, really.
Moran88 – you’re a complete Daniel.
DreadedRed – for him to say we did not deserve to be on the same pitch has them, is an insult to every united player, who worked their asses off to try and win a PL and CL double, and back to back CL titles. No real united fan would ever say that, they were miles better than us,He cannot lose, if united lose to Madrid, he will spout on about how poor united and the PL is, if united beat Madrid, he will still say, once we face barca they united will be shown up, that is a fan that can never be satisfied with what ever united do
Daniel88 is 100% troll no point in throwing facts at him,i love how before Utd drew Madrid in the CL he was praising the fuck out of them saying Utd couldn’t live with them,now he’s using Bayern and Barca how fucking convenient just in case a fuckface.Oh i’m just shaking in my boots fucking shitty rent boy team took those two cunts out last year,so much for a superior midfield you fucking moron.
Hey he’s winding you up! Don’t get sucked in. Anyone who gets embarrassed by his club or his country or whatever is either a kid or a wanker. You’re wasting your breath trying to point it out to him.
It’s been almost 15 years since we won it and in that time have had a level of consistency that nobody else can match (no, not Barca either) over such a sustained length of time. And we know it goes back even further than that.
So let’s remember we’re blessed, and enjoy the ride while it lasts. It will end as it eventually does for everyone.
Wayne – let’s see his precious barca do, if they lose messi to injury, they say rvp injured united maybe fucked, but let’s see how barca will adapt when they lose their only goalscorer, consider they have valdes and mascherano at the back, no cf to back up messi. Xavi is carricks age, let’s see if they lose their 3 amigos 2 injury, because that barca squad has no depth what so ever, they r lucky with injurys
Rest in peace fletch…
thanks for all ur contribution.
all the best for ur future.
It is a Shame that such a Hardworking Guy has to undergo from this. The Clubs first focus should be is to make sure he has healthy life with his family and friends. Football is secondary at this point. Whatever happens I have to say as a common man I love this guys spirit. His hardworking character is commendable. He like some didn’t have natural skills but he worked hard like no one and became one of our most important Midfielder in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 Season. Young Players should learn from him. #RESPECT
Now coming to our squad of course this is a blow but it was bound to happen especially after fletch was hardly playing for last one month. I am disappointed with the coaching staff which includes Sir Alex also. We have hardly seen younger players given some chance. I know we are focused on winning trophies but imagine if Tunnicliffe,powell were gradually inserted into first team. It could have been done. We are exactly in same situation in midfield department. Youth players are not given chance and its a truth. I don’t know what has happened to Powell but I hope he and Tunni atleast play some part in the FA cup matches. Its a shame that we still rely on Giggs and scholes and not give youngsters a chance to play. Tunni is 20 so it is high time he starts playing. Even 15 appearance this season by these two youngsters would be good. Poweel has made 6 appearance and tunni has made 2 or 3. Its not enough.
I want to see powell and Tunni feature more. Period
Daniel88
Enough with this atheltico shit.
Daniel88
Enough with this atheltico shit. Our boys were hardly motivated for that game. Do you think that Sir alex would want to waste time IN Europa shit.NO. His primary focus was The league and we almost won that. Do you think we would have played like that if it was Champions League Match?NO
Talk some sense. We are in transitional period. We are better than last season. I say bring on Real Madrid. If they thrash us and we lose badly then our squad has to improve and we will improve. But if we give them a fight and knock them out (Chances are huge we will beat them) then you and your Negative friendS can fuck off. I am fucking tired of your negativity. I demand you to be present here after the second leg against Madrid is over. Then we can talk.
You say we will lose badly. I say lets see how right are you.
well that’s what springed into my thought too as soon as I read the headline.. career over..
but well, he is a fighter.. so, fingers crossed.
Anyway, all the best to Darren Fletcher.
Very sorry for Fletch. Hard to see him coming back. As a professional athlete you need to be able to absorb nutrients and eat certain foods. His diet will be restricted, not sure he will make it back but with science who knows. I read surgery was last option so it sounds like his condition was very severe and deteriorated rapidly. I wish Fletch the best and a good healthy life, he has been a great servant.
We miss a Hargreaves style player. I loved Fletch and he had 2 great seasons, but he was not quite at Keano level, he had a limited ability, he did what he did well and could have grown into a solid holding MF though a yard short on pace, but alot of it depended on having strong creative players around him. He is a miss, but in my view, on a poor football level, he was never in the same league as Hargreaves, Mascherano or even Essien at his peak, never quite top class but we loved him for his commitment, effort and ofcourse there were times he shone in key games giving us a bite we lacked.
I don’t thnk SAF will buy similar mould yet as Carrick has adapted to the HM role pretty well though I still don’t see it as his natural or best position. The youth are still bedding in and I expect he will buy once he sees how things go. Carrick will now be kept back as we have a enough AMF.
Cleverly is great at giving energy and helping build attacks but his defending is shocking. He really needs to improve in that area, there are times the game just goes past him. With his pace he should be snapping into tackles a bit more. That is why Ando Carrick, would be my preferred MF against RM.
Gutted that this could be the end of his footballing days for United. Just hope the op goes well and he gets back to full fitness eventually.
either way…he gave us special moments n thats what he’ll be remembered for.
Think it’s more Fletcher out permanently, than for the season
Anyway, daniel88 is a complete moran I second that…
Madrid has to bring something special up their sleeve if they are to stand a chance of knocking the mighty red devils out of the competition in a two legged ties
And they gotta aswell have to figure out a way of stopping the unstoppable dutchman cause if we can manage to score 2 or even a single goal at the bernabeu then you can declare us through baby!!! Mark my words
The lad quit arsenal for united to win trophies and as long as chances of being there or there abouts allows RVP will keep on banging them in, them very crucial ones at that cause he’s the man of the grand occasions
Long live the united spirit
As the reds go marching ON, ON, oN!!!!
Fletcher is a dramatically underrated player. When he is in form he is a fantastic destroyer. Massive loss.
In our postmodern era, there are many people out there playing football, but Darren Fletcher was a true footballer.we will miss you very badly.such character and persona are rare nowadays.
@Daniel88
They finished 10th last year, Atletico Madrid finished 6th.
Ask yourself this…where have Bilbao been the last 20 years? Where are they this year?
They had one ‘good’ season where they were insprired against us and we frankly weren’t up for it.
They ended up with fuck all as they ran out of steam in the last few games.
United are fighting on all fronts virtually year in year out and have been at the top of the EPL for 20 years running. Two CL’s and two finals where we faced who we faced. If you like Barçalona that much why don’t you follow them?
The Spanish league is good but it’ not that good. I live here and see it week in week out. Frankly I find it quite dull and while technically it’s excellent it doesn’t have the excitement of the EPL.
The only team that continues to be untouchable are your buddies Barcalona but other than that most of them are no better then premiership teams.
Out off topic, but those who are doubting Rooney to be our consistent penalty taker, including Roy Keane should think more reasonably, of course I agree with many of you that Rooney had missed more than one penalty this season and this is not an absolute justification, but obviously Rooney this time perhaps was very emotional at time thinking about his sister death and those intricate family issue, besides when a top player comes from injury he usually wants to give his best on the pitch.in my opinion that has put him under a lot of pressure.hopefully he will do better next time.
From M.E.N website, Stuart Brennan.
Manchester United’s FFP stance a bit rich.
Stuart Brennan
January 17, 2013
United couldn’t beat City on the pitch or in the title race last season, so it seems they have hatched a dastardly plot to undermine them off the field.
The Reds have teamed up with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham to press for the Premier League to adopt its own financial fair play rules, specifically targeting clubs with rich benefactors – just like Chelsea and City, by sheer coincidence!
United are suddenly worried that all this money being pumped into unnamed clubs is bad for the game, as it creates ‘inflationary spending’.
They want to adapt Uefa’s new rules, aimed at stopping clubs spending beyond the money they generate themselves, to our domestic league.
Of course, by a happy twist of fate, this would mean United – whose revenue is way ahead of everyone else in the league – could buy all the best players, give them the best wages, and win everything, from here to eternity.
And, by another weird coincidence, it would also mean Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs would suddenly edge ahead of City and Chelsea in chasing lucrative Champions League places.
We could even stop playing each other at football altogether, re-name the Premier League the Manchester United League, hand them all the trophies in August and fly off somewhere warm for the winter.
This self-interested foursome are now trying to sell their idea to the rest of the Premier League, to get the 14 votes, out of 20, they would need to change the rules.
“It’s a debate – we’re having a discussion on financial fair play,” said Gill. “The impact of the new TV money has clearly focused the minds. Seven or eight clubs are going to have to abide by UEFA’s regulations in any case.
“The league are working on this and will put a paper together to be discussed at the February meeting. Whatever’s decided is dictated by 14 clubs.”
United need to hope that, if their plan for world domination goes through, that the Premier League doesn’t start applying it retrospectively.
The Reds were one of the main movers behind the Greedy League which aimed to concentrate the wealth in the hands of the few at a time when football was turning from a sport into a multi-billion pound business.
As the richest club in the country, they drove the agenda as English football underwent the biggest inflation – of transfer fees, player wages and, as a consequence, ticket prices – in football history.
They more than quadrupled the record fee paid by an English club – which they already held for the 1981 signing of Bryan Robson – in 1995 when they paid £7m for Andy Cole.
They almost doubled the record by paying over £28m for Seba Veron in 2001, only to break it again a year later to bring in Rio Ferdinand.
They happily paid top dollar to their squad of top players, forcing other clubs to either take financial risks to try and catch them, or simply be content to sit back and admire as United won everything.
It was natural law, they thought. They were earning their own money and spending it. Only Blackburn, who briefly found a rich owner, and moneyed Arsenal interrupted their dominance, and they were just a temporary irritation.
It was a great arrangement. Then along came Chelsea, and more latterly, City to mess up this perfect world, by finding wealthy foreign owners who were prepared to pour money into the clubs they bought.
At the same time, United – despite a brave effort by a minority of their fans – found an American owner who did the exact opposite and began leeching money OUT of their club.
Suddenly, clubs throwing their money around are doing a bad thing, says Gill.
It is not their own money, so they shouldn’t spend it, goes the new mantra.
But the market doesn’t care whether Gill made the money by grafting at a coal face for 12 hours a day, or was handed it by a friendly Arab.
Spending more than the others inflates, wherever the cash come from.
Leeds nose-dived, financially and in football terms, by trying to keep up with United, long before Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour came on the scene.
City and Chelsea have played the game by rules which United liked when it suited them. Now the rules suit other clubs more, United and the other three want to change them.
If they truly want financial fair play, all revenue should be centrally pooled and dished out, preferably with the Football League and grassroots football getting a fair share.
Chances of United going for something truly fair? Don’t hold your breath.
What do you think? Have your say
@andromeda
Can’t say I agree with your points of view as to why Rooney might have missed.
He had already scored so he gave his late sister-in-law her deserved dedication.
Coming back from injury in no reason to miss either.
He’s simply proving to be an unreliable penalty taker.
Success breeds plastic fans. As if there was ever any doubt, last night was living proof.
These M.E.N guys are hypocrites. But Honestly I love reading these kind of news.
Q Who are Manchester City?
A. A club who were always mediocre club but got one day suddenly they get 1 Billion to spend and now they think they are the best club in England and world.
People always say we also spent millions. Yeah Agreed we spent but we didn’t spend crazy money. We spent our money. Money that we earned yet even after that we didn’t spend like Chelsea or City have done. How could anyone compare the spending that City does with ours. This is called jealousy. I can’t blame them they need to stir controversy and the best method is by targeting the Best and that is Manchester United. The Media guys and Pundits try their Best to prove Torres is not a flop. But from the moment we bought berbatov from Spurs for 30 Millions , Media and Pundits were bad mouthing Berba. Hell some even went on to say he was the biggest flop. This is called hypocrisy. Even today when they are asked who has been the biggest flop they will say Veron who I thought was not that bad. He showed his skills but It never worked. Same with Berbatov. For me there are more bigger flops than Veron namely Shevchenko, Andy Carrol, Robinho, Torres etc. Yet the Media never mentions these guys. Have you seen Media ever mention about Sheva’s transfer. NO. But they still have time to say bad things about a Raw talent Bebe. This is called pure jealousy and Hypocrisy.
These media guys and reporters are very Much insecure that Manchester United are at their top and will win the league very easily if they have the same form through out the season. I can bet if RVP had failed to score in his first three games or so these ABU’S would be calling for RVP’S head and say he is a flop. Fucking Jokers.
I fucking Hate Chelsea and City with Passion. They have spoiled the game and Their arrogance is fucking unbelievable. Thats the same Reason I never liked Real Madrid but atleast they are in our level so I can give them a bye but City and chelsea and also the likes of PSG should be banned. How can anyone respect these teams is beyond me. I dont have problem when some people hate Manchester United but I have a big problem when Someone defends clubs like Chelsea and City. PLASTICS
@Bobby Charlton’s combover
Well, sure mate.As I said that is not an absolute justification from my own behalf, he deserves another roaring hair dryer from Fergie, but just let us be honest.last season, he took two brilliant penalty against Chelsea at Stamford bridge under intense pressure from the fans, that should also to be remembered.there are few players who can do what he did.penalty taking as we all know depends on many factors as talent alone is not enough, a regular penalty taker should have accurate precision, the right psychology and mentality, the composure on the ball, the trickery factor, last but not the least getting help from the staff as how to deal with certain goal keeper at a certain time.as all of these issues are statistical and probabilistic then there will always be penalty missing, but with Rooney its sometimes 50/50, perhaps due to his explosive emotional aspect.At this moment, I would rather say Robin Van Persie is a better penalty taker and next to him is Rooney but as I said with more future training.
@Costas
Success breeds plastic fans. As if there was ever any doubt, last night was living proof.
Hello there.What happened mate?
@andromeda
Ah nothing noteworthy mate.Just look at most of Daniel’s posts.
I would hope that there is a very good chance Fletcher will get a positive result from the surgery and will have an much enhanced quality of life as a result.Feel his career will now be in coaching as his age will make it hard to be other than back up,if that but his welfare is the important thing here.
@Costas
Ah, now I can fully understand your point about “plastic fans”.not to put further oil into the fire but it seems as if we are in urgent need for a psychoanalyst here.
I can understand the pain of Fletcher and it is sad that he might not get the chance to play anymore. But the momentum to fight must go on and since the department is still lacking in players whether to injuries or age problem. United might have to go for another player to fill the gap. The likes of Keane, Scholes or Giggs wont be there, we’ll need to find one that could bridge the gap and bring stability into games whether in defense or linking attacks.
Besides that, the number of candidates as United’s next manager seems to be down by one. Whether this is a good news or not, I dont know. And about Rooney penalty, I think it might be a bit harsh to hit at him. So long as the penalty is not crucial (which we might not know when), I think we shouldnt be too hard on him.
The main thing that matters is that surgery is successful, and he can get back to leading a normal life, the football is immaterial really and is not his main priority, but a bonus if it happens.
The best thing we can do is wish him a speedy and healthy recovery
The game versus Bilbao is an uncomfortable truth you are insisting on not seeing it.
… sad really.
It’ll be difficult. He’s in last chance saloon. It’s a very very bad illness he’s got. You could be fine one day and be down the next. If the op isn’t a success i think he should retire and just focus on maintaining his health. Football does not help this sort of illness, it has the potential to make it flare up.
In what way is Sneijder a replacement for Fletcher? That fat lazy cunt only cares about the coin. Fletcher is or was a proper United player. Red to the core. The aforementioned is quite happy to go to the massive European force that is Galatasary.
gazzer – Alright mate. 15 years since we won what? European Cup? Err no pal.
Some SERIOUSLY underestimate Fletcher as a player. He wasn’t just a “tryer” he was a fucking good footballer who could tackle, read the game, chipped in with goals but most importantly he COULD pass. Very well actually. A top player who in 08/09 was first name on team sheet after Ronnie.
King Eric … g’day mate, how’s things? Fletcher is also a natural leader and a total competitor. If this is the end for him, he will be sorely missed.
I’m a medical student and I can tell you that the only way to cure yourself of ulcerative colitis is to remove your entire large bowel and have a stoma put in place of it. I’m really not sure if you can feasibly carry on a professional sports career after having this sort of operation. It interfers with nutrient absorption and on top of that, you are excreting into a bag for the rest of your life.
I love fletch so much, but I fear the worst
for him
That sounds awful. The excreting into a bag bit. Cant see him playing with that. Can he not excrete normally after an operation? Is that always the outcome.