Latest: Fletcher to take extended break for health reasons !

zocoss SG

The Scotland international has been suffering from ulcerative colitis, a problem with the bowel.

More to follow...

zocoss SG

Out of action: Darren Fletcher will take a prolonged break from football due to serious health reasons

Darren Fletcher is taking an extended break from football as the Manchester United midfielder recovers from a serious health issue, the club have revealed.

The Scotland skipper, who made 15 club appearances this season, has been suffering from ulcerative colitis - a chronic inflammatory bowel condition - and is not expected to play again this season.

A club statement 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.'

More to follow...

1) D Berbatov Ankle/Foot Injury - Sometime in Dec

2) M Owen Thigh Muscle Strain 27th Dec 11

3) J Hernandez Ankle/Foot Injury

4) Rafael Knock

5) Fabio Hamstring Injury

6) T Cleverley Ankle/Foot Injury

All these are only expected back on or after 31st Dec 11

7) Anderson Knee Injury Feb 12

8) N Vidic ACL Knee Injury Jun 12

9) Fletcher - Out for the season

Rock^Star SG

Tom Cleverley says Darren Fletcher's health concerns are "bad news" for Manchester United but believes the squad is deep enough to cope with his absence.

• Fletcher forced to take break

Fletcher has been limited to just seven starts this season, and United announced on Tuesday that the Scotland international will take an extended break from the game after a lengthy battle with ulcerative cilotis, an inflammatory bowel condition.

The Red Devils have struggled in the midfield department this season, with Fletcher adding to the losses of Anderson and Cleverley. The situation recently forced Sir Alex Ferguson to play converted winger Ryan Giggs and centre-back Phil Jones in the centre of midfield for their shock 2-1 Champions League loss to Basel.

Cleverley acknowledges that the loss of Fletcher has done nothing to help the midfield problem but, although the club are now missing nine first-team players, he feels they have the cover they need to get by.

"I am gutted for Fletch," Cleverley told Sky Sports News. "I'm not too sure about what it is, but I'm afraid it is bad news for him and bad news for the team.

"He is a massive player for us and it is a shame because we are having a bit of a problem in centre midfield, but we have got Giggsy, Ji [Sung Park], Carrick, Phil Jones doing a job, and Darron Gibson still in the squad, so that's what squads are for."

There are concerns that the problem could severely hamper Fletcher's future prospects. Professor Chris Probert, a consultant gastroenterologist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, said in the Daily Telegraph: "I would be very surprised if he could perform at the same level with this condition. He must have been extremely fit to have been able to play for as long as he has with the symptoms of the condition.

"It seems inconceivable that he would not have had his performance impaired somehow by the condition and it's no surprise that he's been forced to take short breaks from time to time."

Meanwhile, Cleverley has been buoyed by Chelsea's victory over current league leaders Manchester City on Monday and now expects United to turn up the heat over the Christmas period.

"It's blown the title race wide open but we were confident we'd catch them anyway," the midfielder said. "We've both got hard games coming up this weekend so let's see how it goes.

"We've got great team spirit, the new players have bedded in perfectly, so if anyone can bounce back [from Champions League agony] it's us. We've got a lot of games in a tough period, we've still got a chance in the FA Cup and we're well-placed in the league."

Rock^Star SG

"He is a massive player for us....."

If fletcher is a massive player, then people like hernandez must be goliaths. I think the standards of the squad....their mentality is quite low at the moment.

charlize SG

"He is a massive player for us....."

If fletcher is a massive player, then people like hernandez must be goliaths. I think the standards of the squad....their mentality is quite low at the moment.

What you expect them to say about their colleagues?

"He is a fringe player."

"His absence won't be noticed."

"No big deal."

Rock^Star SG

Well, I'd expect like...."we would do our best to climb the table in his absence." Nice? haha.

Jacky Woo SG

united priority surely is central midfielder. he got to spend in January, otherwise united can forget about retaining the EPL title, as anderson is out till february. you cant expect carrick to play in every matches and rely on the 37 year old giggs. time to bring up morrison and pogba from the reserves. hey gibson is still around right, so can play him if need to rest players.

HiAy3Captain SG

rest well....