Darren Fletcher Biography

by Liam Morran

Though his career has been marred by injuries, Darren Fletcher is a fantastic soccer player. He made his way into the prestigious club, Manchester United, when he was only 11 years old, and he has found his home there.

Early Life

Darren Barr Fletcher, born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 1 February 1984 and raised in Mayfield, played his youth football at Hutchinson Vale and Tynecastle Boys Club. These are two of the best Scottish youth clubs. He was only with them until he was scouted by Manchester United while still eleven years old. Darren Fletcher has not left United since joining the youth academy.

Manchester United Youth

After playing a few good seasons at Manchester United, young Fletcher was set to become the youngest player ever to appear in the Manchester United first-team. He was selected for the club's final roster of the 1999–2000 FA Premier League season against Aston Villa on 14 May 2000. However, Premier League rules prohibit players on schoolboy contracts from appearing at the senior level, and Fletcher's debut was delayed.

He subsequently signed a trainee contract in July of 2000 before signing his first professional contract on his 17th birthday on 1 February 2001.

Meanwhile, he gradually progressed through the club's youth teams, and was part of the reserve team that won the Manchester Senior Cup in 1999–2000.

Professional Career

Darren was initially seen as a right midfielder in the David Beckham mold, but as he developed he became more of a central midfielder. He was expected by many to break into the first-team with ease and stay there for many years.

Over the next couple of seasons, Fletcher's involvement was limited due to various injuries, including a broken foot. Nevertheless, by the 2002–03 season, he had become a regular member of the reserve team. Finally, in the season of 2003-04 he broke into the first team and has from that day on made over 200 appearances.

Unfortunately, in 2011 Fletcher was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with a severe bowel disorder which has relieved him of any game time for nearly 2 years. He did make one appearance toward the beginning of 2013, but the problem came back.

Fletcher is the captain of the Scottish National team making over 60 appearances but due to his bowel disorder, he has taken a break since 2011 to regain his full health.