Darren Fletcher

Darren Barr Fletcher (born 1 February 1984 in Dalkeith, Midlothian) is a Scotland football (soccer) player currently playing for Premier League club Manchester United F.C..

Club career

Fletcher joined Manchester United as a trainee in July 2000 and he signed a professional contract in February 2001. He was initially seen as a midfielder (soccer) in the David Beckham mould and was tipped by many to break into the first team with ease and stay there for many years to come. His first few seasons at the club, however, were marred by injury, and as he developed he came to be viewed more as a central midfielder.

Fletcher broke into the Manchester United team during the 2003-04 in English football campaign, playing a number of important matches. He started in United's FA Cup Final win over Millwall F.C. in May 2004.

Despite a slow start to the 2004-05 in English football campaign, in which in the early part of the season he made very few competitive appearances, Fletcher again broke into the United first team. On 1 January 2005, Fletcher scored his first goal at club level, (he had already scored twice for Scotland national football team). The goal was the opener in the Premiership match against Middlesbrough F.C..

Fletcher was one of the players singled out for harsh criticism by club captain Roy Keane in the wake of United's embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough in October 2005. Keane reportedly said, "I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher." However, Keane later attempted to set the record straight stating, "If you listen to any of my comments over the last two or three years, if I've given any player credit over the years it would be Fletch. Fletch will tell you that himself." Fletcher went some way towards answering his critics on 6 November 2005, with his performance in the vital league match at home to Chelsea F.C., scoring the only goal of the game with a looping header. His winning goal ended Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

In 2006-07 in English football, he retained his starting position in the first team at the start of the season and scored in an away win over Charlton Athletic F.C., as well as scoring the headed winner in the away game with Middlesbrough F.C. in December and another headed goal in the home win against Charlton in February, making it a double against the club that season. As the season progressed, Alex Ferguson preferred the midfield quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs, limiting Fletcher to substitute appearances. However, due to Paul Scholes's suspension, he made a starting appearance in United's 7-1 rout of AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

During the semi-final first leg against A.C.Milan at Old Trafford (football ground), Fletcher almost scored his first Champions League goal only to be denied by Dida. United eventually saw themselves eliminated from the Champions League after Milan beat them 3-0 in the second leg of the tie.

He faces a new threat to his first team place for the 2007-08 in English football after the arrival of Owen Hargreaves from FC Bayern Munich.

International career

Fletcher has established himself as a regular pick for Scotland and scored in a 1-0 win Lithuania national football team, having come off the bench for only his second cap (football). His goal took Scotland to the play-offs for 2004 European Football Championship. On 26 May 2004, he captained Scotland to a 1-0 friendly win against Estonia national football team in Tallinn. This made him the youngest Scotland captain since John Lambie (Queen's Park) of Queen's Park F.C. led the side that beat Ireland national football team (IFA) 7-2 on Saturday, 20 March 1886. Lambie was aged just 17 years and 92 days.

Fletcher's improvement for his national side was capped by a 25-metre strike in an October 2005 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia national football team. Fletcher is currently Scotland's vice-captain, deputising in the absence of regular captain Barry Ferguson.

International goals

Personal life

Fletcher has recently become the father of twin boys with girlfriend, Hayley Grice.

Honours

Manchester United F.C.
- FA Premier League: 2006/2007
- FA Cup: 2004
- League Cup: 2006
- Community Shield: 2007

Scotland national football team
- Kirin Cup: 2006