Fletcher lives his dream as he captains United on his full comeback

Published on 28/09/2012 01:26

Darren Fletcher returned to Manchester United’s starting line-up for the first time in ten months on Wednesday night and declared himself delighted to be back.

The Scotland captain has been trying to manage a career-threatening bowel condition and, after a brief Champions League appearance against Galatasaray last week, took a major step forward at Old Trafford by leading the Red Devils to a 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Newcastle.

“It is great to be back,” midfielder Fletcher said, after a return which coincided with that of Wayne Rooney, who had been sidelined with a gashed thigh. “I’ve had a few reserve games and a run-out in the Champions League but it is good to be back, especially at Old Trafford, and in a winning team as well. It is the first time I have captained Manchester United. It is something I dreamed about. All these things – coming back, being captain – are nice, but the biggest thing was to win.

“I thought Wayne was excellent floating behind the strikers. He was getting on the ball, pinging passes and using his experience. He is a fantastic player with great imagination.”

Goals by Anderson and Tom Cleverley were enough to book a last-16 meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next month.

Goalscorer Cleverley also hailed the return of Fletcher and Rooney. “It is fantastic to have them both back,” he said. 
“Darren Fletcher is a big game player and would bring positive things to any squad in the world. I am happy for him.”

Cleverley admitted his lack of goals for Manchester United was starting to get to him. The 23-year-old managed to find the net during loan spells with Leicester, Watford and Wigan. For Manchester United, though, he was just drawing a blank.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson felt compelled to give Cleverley a half-time dressing down at Old Trafford on Wednesday after the midfielder had somehow failed to convert a golden chance set up for him by Javier Hernandez. The England man clearly took the hint.

“It has been playing on my mind a little bit,” said Cleverley. I have always scored goals when I have gone on loan, so it was bugging me that I had not 
been doing it for my club or my country.

“The gaffer gave me a bit at half-time for missing the one in the first-half, so it was nice to stroke that one in.”