In seasons gone by the presence of Darren Fletcher’s
name on the team sheet has often filled me with a curious mixture
of disbelief and fury. Think Victor Meldrew at his angriest (I did
actually mutter the infamous ‘I don’t believe it’ on more than one
occasion).
It got to the point where, upon seeing the starting eleven, I
would actually be annoyed if I saw Fletcher’s name instead of
Scholes, Carrick & Co. The game was in mortal danger of being
ruined if the number 24 was taking up a precious midfield spot.
This season, however, I have warmed ever so slightly to the
Fletch as he has produced (for him) consistently good(ish)
performances – praise indeed. He is clearly a talented player and
his performances are always packed with enthusiasm and commitment,
but, and this is a big but;
Is he really good enough to warrant a place in starting eleven
of the English and European Champions?
I know people will argue Fletcher has had to be selected because
Anderson has been injured, Scholes is getting older and Owen
Hargreaves suffering from Louis Saha ‘itis’. I sometimes wonder if
United ever actually signed Hargreaves or whether I am confusing
life with one of my football manager saved games again (it has
happened before believe me).
Anyway, back to Fletcher. His quality (or lack of) is a hot
topic amongst many United fans I know. There are the Fletcher fans
who claim his reliable, hard-working and selfless style is worthy
of a United first team place. Then there are the group who despise
his ‘boring’ 5 yard passes, lack of flair and uncanny knack of
slowing down an attack.
Admittedly he appears to have bulked up over the past 12 months
and appears to be getting forward with more purpose. His
determination and hard work alone ensure he is a valuable squad
player but top class he is not. Fletcher lacks the touch of genius
needed to dominate a game in the way Keane/Scholes could and
Carrick can.
A few years ago I remember hearing that Beckham was going to be
sold and this new kid on the block was going to effortlessly fill
the number 7 shirt on the right of midfield. The idea of Fletcher
replacing Beckham seems as preposterous today as it did then – can
you really see Fletcher selling all those shirts. Actually to be
fair I suppose Beckham could pass the ball too.
Anyway, Darren Fletcher; underrated by fans or overrated by
Fergie?
Craig Malpas