Darren Fletcher makes case for Manchester United return in time for Champions League final
Darren Fletcher is in contention to return to the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Arsenal after ending a two-month absence because of a stomach virus with a 45-minute reserve team outing on Thursday night.
In with a shout: Darren Fletcher playing for United's reserves Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Mark Ogden 10:16PM BST 28 Apr 2011
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The Scotland captain lost more than a stone in weight and spent a month away from United's Carrington training ground as a result of the draining virus. But the midfielder returned to action in front of the watching Sir Alex Ferguson against Arsenal reserves, who welcomed back Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen following seven months out with an Achilles tendon injury.
Fletcher’s comeback will be viewed as a major boost by Ferguson as the club prepare for a series of pivotal fixtures over the final month of the campaign.
While Fletcher, 27, is unlikely to start against Arsenal — with Vermaelen already ruled out of Sunday’s game — his return could see him emerge as a potential starter in the Champions League final should United, as expected, overcome Schalke in next Wednesday’s semi-final second leg to book an anticipated clash against Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.
Fletcher missed United’s defeat against Barcelona in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome through suspension, but the Edinburgh-born midfielder’s tenacity and ability to perform defensive duties in front of the back four are regarded as crucial to United’s hopes of avenging the Rome defeat.
Vermaelen’s return to action has come too late for the 25 year-old to affect Arsenal’s hopes of success this season, but the centre-half is expected to return to first-team duty before the end of the campaign having not figured since the 2-1 victory at Blackburn last August.
Meanwhile, United midfielder Michael Carrick has admitted he has finally regained his best form after struggling to secure a starting position at Old Trafford in the aftermath of the Champions League final defeat against Barcelona two years ago.
Carrick, who signed a three-year contract recently, has become an integral figure in recent weeks, despite speculation during the winter that he could be sold by the club.
“The first three years here went so well and then losing the final [in Rome] was a blow,” he said. “You play as it comes in big games and have to understand it’s not all going to be great. You can’t play well all of your career in every game, but you just keep going and believing in yourself and the form comes back. It has happened to a lot of players and it will happen to many more.
“The manager believes in everyone and trusts in everyone and I bring my strengths and weaknesses just like everyone else. It’s about believing in yourself and playing and this is the best place for me to play my football.”
United require seven points to claim the Premier League title and could secure a record 19th domestic championship against Chelsea at Old Trafford on May 8 if they defeat Arsenal at the Emirates this weekend. And despite claims that United have failed to hit the heights of previous seasons, Ferguson insists his current team have shown title-winning qualities.
“This team might not have the 'Ronaldo’ factor, but it doesn’t understand the word defeat,” he said. “It’s determined, gritty and very professional, and it’s produced some great moments.
“Some of the football we’ve seen from the players this season has been terrific, but it’s important to keep momentum going by winning games. That’s vital.
“Draws don’t come into it now, it’s all about wins. We’ve got a big few games coming up and we need to win them.”
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