• Premier League

Extended break for Fletcher sparks United concerns

ESPN staff
December 13, 2011
Darren Fletcher has struggled for first-team action due to fitness concerns this season © PA Photos
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Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has been forced to take an "extended break from football" due to concerns about his health, with the club revealing he has been suffering from chronic bowel problems.

Fletcher, 27, missed two months of last season with a then-unspecified virus - which United have now revealed was ulcerative colitis - and when he returned to first-team action had lost a significant amount of weight.

The Scotland captain was also absent for part of pre-season training as he continued his recovery and has started just seven games during the current campaign. The condition has increasingly taken a major physical toll on him and, with his long-term health a priority, Fletcher has been advised to stop training and playing for a sustained period.

A statement from United 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."

Meanwhile, Scotland boss Craig Levein remains hopeful Fletcher will lead his country's assault on the 2014 World Cup.

"I am obviously absolutely devastated for Darren because I know how hard he has worked to get back to playing regularly for his club and country," said Levein.

"He is one of the most inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with. I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren this week and the most important thing at this stage is for the player to be given time to rest and recuperate.

"He is a central part of our plans for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers but at this stage his health is paramount."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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