Manchester United Address Midfield Problems – Why Darren Fletcher Faces An Uphill Battle For A Place In The Team
It is another summer of change at Old Trafford, as many Manchester United fans’ fears were realised after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May last year. David Moyes was unable to guide the 2013 champions to further success and was eventually sacked, with the Red Devils enduring their worst ever Premier League campaign in which they finished seventh.
One man who will be looking to impress incoming manager Louis van Gaal is Darren Fletcher. The Scottish midfielder’s struggle with illness has been well-documented, and, according to the Mirror, he has acknowledged the importance of this stage in his United career.
With a bowel condition taking more than two years of his career away from him, Fletcher is keen to make up for lost time. At 30 years of age, the player wants to show that he still has something to offer the side as they attempt to return to the top.
Fletcher has made 330 appearances for United in all competitions but he has never really featured in an entire Premier League campaign for the club, with 30 games in 2009/10 the most he has played in a single season. It does not look likely that the Scotland international will better that next season, with the signing of Ander Herrera rumoured to be only the first of several additions to the Red Devils’ midfield.
As van Gaal takes charge, Fletcher will soon learn what his role in the team will be. With United’s long-term problems in the middle of the park finally being addressed, though, the midfielder’s illness may have unfortunately caused him to miss the opportune time to shine.
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