Bowel condition ends Darren Fletcher’s season

Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher will miss the remainder of the 2012/2013 season as a result of a chronic bowel disease.

Fletcher -who has suffered from teh disease since December 2011- had shown signs of recovery, reappearing for United infrequently in the Capital One Cup and Premier League last year.

The news will come as a dissapointment to both United and Scotland, for whom the 28 year old is captain. New Scotland manager Gordon Strachan praised Fletcher for his enduring battle and has claimed that he will ‘remain an integral part of the international set-up’. It was through participating in one of Scotland’s training camps last year that Fletcher instigated his comeback, and Strachan has left the door open for Fletcher to join with the squad as he recovers.

The news will come as a bitter blow to Sir Alex Ferguson, who many have claimed needs a strong ball winning midfielder to solve the league leader’s defensive issues. Although few would claim that Fletcher’s condition has been the cause of United’s group stage exit in last season’s Champions League and this season’s shaky defence, his injury has no doubt contributed.

The latest setback will cause question marks over Fletcher’s future in football. At the age of 28 – where most midfielders typically reach their peak – the man who has made over 310 appearances for United will be physically weaker than ever.

On behalf of all United and Scotland fans I would like to wish Darren a speedy recovery, and hope to see him in Red and Blue colours as soon as possible.