|
|
Manchester United's Darren Fletcher to take extended break from football for health reasons
The Scotland international has been battling illness for the past year, and has now decided to take a rest from training and matches as he seeks a return to full fitness
13 Dec 2011 15:33:00
By Joe Wright
Getty Images
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is set to take an extended break from football for health reasons, the club have confirmed.
Fletcher, 27, has managed only 10 appearances this season for the Premier League champions after failing to recover from a mysterious illness picked up towards the end of 2010.
The Scotland international has now decided that further action is required if he is to regain his fitness, and has therefore taken an extended leave of absence from the game.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons.
“Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality. Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.
“Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period this has proved more difficult recently and Darren’s continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.
“He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.
“We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery.”
The news will come as a blow to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has already lost central midfielders Tom Cleverley and Anderson to injury until the New Year.
This latest blow may force the 69-year-old to delve in to the transfer kitty in January in a bid to sure up the spine of his side, which will also be without captain Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season.
Fletcher, 27, has managed only 10 appearances this season for the Premier League champions after failing to recover from a mysterious illness picked up towards the end of 2010.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The Scotland international has now decided that further action is required if he is to regain his fitness, and has therefore taken an extended leave of absence from the game.
A statement on the club’s official website read: “On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons.
“Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality. Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.
“Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period this has proved more difficult recently and Darren’s continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.
“He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.
“We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery.”
The news will come as a blow to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has already lost central midfielders Tom Cleverley and Anderson to injury until the New Year.
This latest blow may force the 69-year-old to delve in to the transfer kitty in January in a bid to sure up the spine of his side, which will also be without captain Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
