Manchester United News 24/7Writer: Zae 
Date:Wednesday September 9 2009
Time: 2:28PM
UK time is: 03:37:47
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
United Fans Appreciate Fletcher Now
Those misguided souls who are regular readers here (only joking of course) will know that I am one of Darren Fletcher's biggest supporters among United's fanbase. And this fanbase, according to Paddy Crerand, is growing and growing every day.
"For the big games I think the manager would pick Fletcher, he'd be first on the team sheet.
"Darren has made the point that he wants to be the number one choice in midfield. And he's playing well enough to be number one."
"I almost don't need to make the point for him, he's making a strong enough case himself. He was outstanding against Wigan and outstanding against Arsenal. And against Tottenham and Manchester City, you want him in the midfield."
"He's been playing like that for quite a few years now. I think the fans are starting to appreciate him, that's the only difference."
Not just that: he's more and more consistent and daring. He has built up the confidence we expect from a United player, he doesn't always go for the square pass any more. The regular opportunities and the praise he's been getting did him no end of good.
Yet I wouldn't suggest, as Crerand did, that all United fans warmed to him. Outside the United camp he is still regarded as a clown of a player, the weakest link he was around 2004-05. But even among us many feel that he is not good enough, that he is a mediocre player - even though right now he holds the midfield together, as Michael Carrick and Anderson are still looking for their true selves.
Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
*Try Vital Mobile FOR FREE for the latest news, scores, fixtures and so much more*
Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.
Your Comments
Shields has been released.Murdering @#$%
SweetLeftFoot
I am sorry but he is not a good player...all he does is bully opponents....unfortunately we don't have good midfield players anymore(since owen is out....who to me is out best midfielder) and that made someone like fletcher seem decent....but i disagree with you on him having good games against arsenal, tottenham....he should have been sent off against arsenal and almost gave away a penalty....
he is a mediocre player and always will be...we need a player of true quality and consistency in the middle....
carrick is a good player....but not consistent enough and lately hasn't done the job right in my eyes
ibrahiy
I'm a chelsea fan and of the few manutd players i hate to meet fletcher's up there...along with evra,thank god tevez's gone...he was on the list too.fletcher's absence was the reason y'all looked so ordinary against barca.
blueogre
we need a stron player in the centre but he is a liability...we need a similar player but better...he is not united class....passing woeful...vision woeful...i dunno
ibrahiy
I never hated Fletcher, but I was indifferent of him. And in reply to ibrahiy, I feel Gourcuff or Moutinho would be a good fit to take over after Scholes.
Paulinho
maybe....my only worry is from what i have seen of the two internationally hasn't been encouraging....but i would like to give a chance to gourcuff...
But we do still need a hardman in the middle of the park to let a creative player like gourcuff to do the attacking....and to me fletcher is our better option right now....but when/if owen gets back we should be good...as again fletcher lacks talent but at least he has commitment....but my worry is if fans start seeing him as a starter then i am worried cuz i feel we lowered our standard from a kean like player to fletcher
ibrahiy
First of all we have to understand that fletcher is our defensive midfielder alongside hargreaves.He is trying to add an offensive side to his game as well.I totally agree with Mr.Crerand,he is by far the most improved player in the last two years and fergie has found him his best position,i.e.,in the middle where he can break the opponents play and distribute it to our more creative players.
Antriksh (abmtd)
If someone has to be blamed,then it has to be andy for he was brought in to add that creative spark which we have only seen in glimpses.He is still very young but he could do way better.
Antriksh (abmtd)
He reminds me of flamini,both were not too popular but flamini found his best position which was alongside fabregas where he had to do the samething of breaking up the play and giving it to fabregas and in the process they formed a fantastic partnership in the middle which was ofcourse broken and I can just hope that darren doesn't suffer the same fate.
Antriksh (abmtd)
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Ferdinand Pens One-Year Deal (Friday May 24 2013)
United Miss Out on Begovic (Friday May 24 2013)
Brian Greenhoff - RIP (Thursday May 23 2013)
Thiago Bid Imminent? (Thursday May 23 2013)
Rooney - Major PSG Interest (Thursday May 23 2013)
Rooney Forced Out? (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Moyes Interested in Shaw (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Robin van Persie Wins Barclays Golden Boot (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Sir Alex Cleans Up (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Hoping to Make a Killing? (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | TheFamousNo7 | 99 |
| 2. | MotorMad | 37 |
| 3. | Kanchelskis | 11 |
| 4. | stunna | 7 |
| 5. | Red Boy | 3 |
| 6. | 29bajigur | 3 |
| 7. | nickster | 2 |
| 8. | nordkap | 2 |
| 9. | Mike Sianos | 1 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| WBA | 5 | - | 5 | Man Utd |
| Man Utd | 2 | - | 1 | Swansea |
| Man Utd | 0 | - | 1 | Chelsea |
| Arsenal | 1 | - | 1 | Man Utd |
| Man Utd | 3 | - | 0 | Aston Villa |
| West Ham | 2 | - | 2 | Man Utd |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1. Man Utd | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | +43 | 89 |
| 2. Man City | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | +32 | 78 |
| 3. Chelsea | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | +36 | 75 |
| 4. Arsenal | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | +35 | 73 |
| 5. Spurs | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | +20 | 72 |
| 6. Everton | 38 | 16 | 15 | 7 | +15 | 63 |
| 7. Liverpool | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | +28 | 61 |
Breaking League News
| Stoke Man Of The Match
» Southampton : 24/05/2013 20:37:00
|
| Shaw This Can't Keep Happening To Luke
» Southampton : 24/05/2013 20:32:00
|
| Arsenal Close To £10m Williams Move?
» Swansea : 24/05/2013 20:04:00
|
| Liverpool: Werner hails 'Great Strategist' Rodgers
» Liverpool : 24/05/2013 19:37:00
|
| Liverpool: Robinson Gets England U21 Call
» Liverpool : 24/05/2013 18:03:00
|
| Something For The Weekend (425)
» Aston Villa : 24/05/2013 17:50:00
|
| More NUFC Spin
» Newcastle : 24/05/2013 17:34:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|