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.