Timely return of Sir Alex Fergusons big game hunter
Darren Fletcher was handed the captains armband for last nights Capital One Cup win over Newcastle the Reds midfielders first full match in almost a year For the ultimate big game player it was a relatively low-key return. But for Darren Fletcher last nights Capital One Cup third round tie with Newcastle was as momentous as any in his career.
Starting a match for the first time since November 2011, it was an occasion that many feared would never come when it was revealed last year that he is battling to overcome ulcerative colitis.
In his darkest moments, Fletcher too must have questioned if a career that has already defied the odds would come to a premature end.
No matter then that he was playing in a competition Sir Alex Ferguson usually reserves for blooding his youngsters or stretching the legs of fringe players.
And who cares if there were swathes of empty seats inside Old Trafford for a match that had clearly failed to capture the imagination of supporters?
As far as Fletcher was concerned, last night was always going to be about much more than just a game of football.
For him the greatest challenge of his career was just getting here let alone seeing through the full 90 minutes.
Ferguson acknowledged as much when handing him the captains armband ahead of Wayne Rooney embarking on his own comeback after the leg gash that has ruled him out of the majority of the season so far.
On this occasion its a way of respecting Darrens great attitude to coming back, said the United manager.
Ferguson has always had a special bond with his countryman.
He believed in the Scotland midfielder at a time when Fletchers tenacity and ability to perform on footballs grandest stages wasnt universally appreciated by! support ers.
Without Fergusons backing the 28-year-old might have fallen by the wayside like so many midfielders who have failed to live up to Uniteds generals of the past like Bryan Robson, Paul Ince and Roy Keane.
A quiet man and one of footballs genuine nice guys, Fletcher won over his doubters, earning the tag as a big game player with dominant displays against the best in both the Premier League and Champions League.
So much so that Ferguson still bemoans his suspension from the 2009 Champions League final, when Barcelonas Xavi and Andres Iniesta were given the freedom of the midfield in the absence of Uniteds most effective ball-winner.
The regard in which hes held by supporters was never more evident than when receiving a standing ovation when coming on as a substitute against Galatasaray last week.
Like much of the footballing world, they feared the worse.
Rooney, Fletcher react to Manchester United win as Reds drawn at Chelsea
Manchester United 2 Newcastle 1: Stuart Mathieson's match verdict
Whatever your allegiances, Fletchers was a sorry story of a young mans ambitions being cut down by illness.
A serious bowel condition threatening to end a career in its prime.
After what Fletcher has endured over the past two seasons, the old adage of one game at a time was never more pertinent.
This is the end of one long road and the start of another.
The competition for places in Uniteds midfield is as fierce as ever, as last nights team sheet attested.
Playi ng alongside Tom Cleverley and Anderson in a much-changed line-up to the one that defeated Liverpool on Sunday, United can also call upon Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nick Powell.
The good news for Fletcher is that Ferguson needs him.
His engine room has plenty of guile, but as was highlighted at Anfield, it lacks bite.
Fletcher provided that against Newcastle, largely sitting at the base of the midfield, allowing Cleverley and Anderson to roam forward in attack.
He was straight into an aerial challenge with Shola Ameobi and a crunching tackle left its mark on Haris Vuckic.
His presence, in front of rookies Scott Wootton and Michael Keane was vital easing them through what was also a big occasion for them.
It is a role he may be required to fill more often in the coming weeks with United shorn of Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
Fergusons line-up underlined the imbalance in his squad with injuries to his centre backs.
He didnt dare risk Rio Ferdinand or Jonny Evans , yet his midfield and forward line were filled with first team players.
Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez will all be pushing to start against Tottenham on Saturday.
So too Cleverley and Anderson after both got on the score sheet with well-taken goals.
Cleverleys strike was much-needed after wasting two golden opportunities for England this month and another when one-on-one with Robert Elliott in the first-half.
Anderson remains an enigma. The Brazilian has only ever shown his potential in spells, but looked bright from the start against Newcastle.
His goal just before half- time was full of samba style, curling past the reach of Elliott from 20 yards.
He too will hope this can be a springboard but despite his special strike, it was always destined to be Fletchers night.
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Starting a match for the first time since November 2011, it was an occasion that many feared would never come when it was revealed last year that he is battling to overcome ulcerative colitis.
In his darkest moments, Fletcher too must have questioned if a career that has already defied the odds would come to a premature end.
No matter then that he was playing in a competition Sir Alex Ferguson usually reserves for blooding his youngsters or stretching the legs of fringe players.
And who cares if there were swathes of empty seats inside Old Trafford for a match that had clearly failed to capture the imagination of supporters?
As far as Fletcher was concerned, last night was always going to be about much more than just a game of football.
For him the greatest challenge of his career was just getting here let alone seeing through the full 90 minutes.
Ferguson acknowledged as much when handing him the captains armband ahead of Wayne Rooney embarking on his own comeback after the leg gash that has ruled him out of the majority of the season so far.
On this occasion its a way of respecting Darrens great attitude to coming back, said the United manager.
Ferguson has always had a special bond with his countryman.
He believed in the Scotland midfielder at a time when Fletchers tenacity and ability to perform on footballs grandest stages wasnt universally appreciated by! support ers.
Without Fergusons backing the 28-year-old might have fallen by the wayside like so many midfielders who have failed to live up to Uniteds generals of the past like Bryan Robson, Paul Ince and Roy Keane.
A quiet man and one of footballs genuine nice guys, Fletcher won over his doubters, earning the tag as a big game player with dominant displays against the best in both the Premier League and Champions League.
So much so that Ferguson still bemoans his suspension from the 2009 Champions League final, when Barcelonas Xavi and Andres Iniesta were given the freedom of the midfield in the absence of Uniteds most effective ball-winner.
The regard in which hes held by supporters was never more evident than when receiving a standing ovation when coming on as a substitute against Galatasaray last week.
Like much of the footballing world, they feared the worse.
Rooney, Fletcher react to Manchester United win as Reds drawn at Chelsea
Manchester United 2 Newcastle 1: Stuart Mathieson's match verdict
Whatever your allegiances, Fletchers was a sorry story of a young mans ambitions being cut down by illness.
A serious bowel condition threatening to end a career in its prime.
After what Fletcher has endured over the past two seasons, the old adage of one game at a time was never more pertinent.
This is the end of one long road and the start of another.
The competition for places in Uniteds midfield is as fierce as ever, as last nights team sheet attested.
Playi ng alongside Tom Cleverley and Anderson in a much-changed line-up to the one that defeated Liverpool on Sunday, United can also call upon Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nick Powell.
The good news for Fletcher is that Ferguson needs him.
His engine room has plenty of guile, but as was highlighted at Anfield, it lacks bite.
Fletcher provided that against Newcastle, largely sitting at the base of the midfield, allowing Cleverley and Anderson to roam forward in attack.
He was straight into an aerial challenge with Shola Ameobi and a crunching tackle left its mark on Haris Vuckic.
His presence, in front of rookies Scott Wootton and Michael Keane was vital easing them through what was also a big occasion for them.
It is a role he may be required to fill more often in the coming weeks with United shorn of Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
Fergusons line-up underlined the imbalance in his squad with injuries to his centre backs.
He didnt dare risk Rio Ferdinand or Jonny Evans , yet his midfield and forward line were filled with first team players.
Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez will all be pushing to start against Tottenham on Saturday.
So too Cleverley and Anderson after both got on the score sheet with well-taken goals.
Cleverleys strike was much-needed after wasting two golden opportunities for England this month and another when one-on-one with Robert Elliott in the first-half.
Anderson remains an enigma. The Brazilian has only ever shown his potential in spells, but looked bright from the start against Newcastle.
His goal just before half- time was full of samba style, curling past the reach of Elliott from 20 yards.
He too will hope this can be a springboard but despite his special strike, it was always destined to be Fletchers night.
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