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Darren Fletcher
If there’s one thing that could make United fans even more disillusioned with the current lack of transfer activity, it’s the words “Darren Fletcher is like a new signing.” United are crying out for a midfielder and have been since before Paul Scholes’ first retirement, it’s just a shame everyone in Old Trafford, bar the dugout was able to see that.
Saturday’s 2-0 win against Swansea may give Edward Woodward the perfect excuse he’s needed should the champions have another dismal transfer window, as Darren Fletcher- the Stretford End’s very own ‘football genius’ reminded everyone that he’s very much a part of this United side.
Yet again it was well the groomed teenager – not in that sense- Adnan Januzaj, that stole the headlines with a performance that rescued the game against Swansea from the abyss of mediocrity that’s becoming far too common at Old Trafford this season. United’s midfield will face far tougher tests in the coming months than was offered by Michael Laudrup’s men, but let’s not take anything away from Darren Fletcher who did the job asked of him perfectly. Fletcher’s best games for United have been the ones where he’s been at his energetic best, breaking down attacks and moving the ball forward for the Reds, but after a career-threatening illness, as is to be expected, he’s asked to fill a more disciplined- less metronomic role. Sitting in front of United’s back four, Fletcher picked out his passes with ease and as the stats show, nearly always found his target.
This screenshot was taken from the Squawka Football App – Download it here for free
What United have been crying out for this season- and one could argue ever since Owen Hargreaves left and Fletcher became ill, is someone to put a foot in and get hold of the ball in the middle of the park, rather than just the interceptions Michael Carrick provides. While Fletcher at least attempted more tackles than his Geordie team mate- three to Carrick’s one- with the Scot’s solitary success the only one between the two, it was breaking up the play where he found himself showing his worth.
This wasn’t a vintage United performance, it wasn’t a vintage Darren Fletcher performance, but if he continues to fully recover from the awful illness that kept him out for the best part of two seasons- then dare I whisper it quietly “Darren Fletcher’s return could be like a new signing for United..”
