24. Darren Fletcher

	Position:	Midfielder
	Appearances:	218
	Goals:	13
	Joined United:	03 July 2000
	Contract Expiry:	June 2012
	International:	Scotland

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Biography

Though Fletcher comes in for criticism from some Manchester United fans he is now firmly established as a first-teamer.

Despite starting most of United’s matches there is perhaps the belief that he is not up to the standard of those who have left Old Trafford. That said, he has often played a vital role when his more illustrious colleagues were injured or out-of-form. He has made a habit of performing well against the top sides, with his showing in United’s 7-1 win over Roma in the quarter-final of the Champions League in 2007.

Once described by one United coach as a ‘monster’, Fletcher was considered to be such a prospect that Roy Keane tried to use his Irish roots as a means to turn him into a man in green. This was rebuffed and Fletcher committed himself to Scotland.

He made his debut in March 2003 in a 1-1 Champions League draw at home to FC Basle at the age of 19.

Fletcher enjoyed a highly impressive 2003/04, starting 17 Premiership games. Although he started out on the right in David Beckham’s old role, he looked far more comfortable when deployed in a central position.

At the end of the season, after some stirring performances, he was named the new captain of Scotland despite being aged only 20.

Now a regular for both United and Scotland, he will be around in the Premier League for the next decade.

In October 2005, Fletcher earned a new contract to run until the summer of 2009. But that same season Fletcher was allegedly one of those who came in for fierce criticism by Keane during a canned interview for MUTV.

Fletcher’s appearances were not particularly regular for United during their title win but he picked up his first league medal in 2006/7 – and another in 2008 when he again was less of a regular.

With his contract up at the end of 2008/09 it remains to be seen if he opts to move clubs to get first team football.