Don't Sell Fletcher, Please!

No comments have come from the club yet so it may well be just a rumour but it's reported that Boro is ready to move for Darren Fletcher.

With the arrival of Owen Hargreaves, Fletcher could expect limited playing time this season - especially that his second position, right midfield, is well covered now thanks to Nani.

It's no wonder Middlesbrough are ready to move for him, as I believe he would be an excellent signing for any mid-table side. The guy's improvement during the last two seasons was unbelievable and though once upon a time I was counted among the Fletcher-bashers, he turned me into an admirer of his abilities.

And it's not just my personal bias that makes me say don't sell him, whatever money Boro offer. At the moment we have four central midfielders whom I trust whatever opposition we face - Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes and Fletch. He showed he's worthy of this trust with displays against Roma and Milan (at Old Trafford, of course) and if injuries begin to bite in midfield, he will be very useful.

Scholes cannot play all games, he'll be 33 this November and that's another aspect we have to consider as we face a challenge on four fronts. Fletcher can be useful cover and though he's not someone who can change a game coming from the bench, he can do a good defensive job as a sub when it's necessary.

Oh, and it's always possible we will lose 6 defenders to injury, as it happened in April, and at that times he can play as an emergency right-back - but hopefully it won't come to that.

Then again, the whole-Boro-move-for-Fletcher business could be a rumour and I'm wasting my keyboard persuading everyone we should not sell him, it's possible that it hasn't even crossed Fergie's mind to part with him.

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