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Fletcher layoff 'bad news for United' - Cleverley

Darren Fletcher has taken a break from football © PA Photos

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Tom Cleverley has summed up the impact that Darren Fletcher's health concerns have had on the Manchester United squad, admitting the midfielder's absence is "bad news" for the Premier League champions.

United announced on Tuesday that Fletcher will take an extended break from the game after a lengthy battle with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition. The Scotland international has been limited to just seven starts this season.

The Red Devils have struggled in the midfield department this season, with Fletcher adding to the losses of Anderson and Cleverley. The situation recently forced Sir Alex Ferguson to play converted winger Ryan Giggs and centre-back Phil Jones in the centre of midfield for their shock 2-1 Champions League loss to Basel.

That game, more than any other, highlighted United's lack of depth in the middle of the park, and Cleverley confessed the loss of Fletcher will be a big blow.

"I am gutted for Fletch," Cleverley told Sky Sports News. "I'm not too sure about what it is, but I'm afraid it is bad news for him and bad news for the team.

"He is a massive player for us and it is a shame, because we are having a bit of a problem in centre-midfield.

"But we have got Giggsy, Ji[-Sung Park], Carrick, Phil Jones doing a job, and Darron Gibson still in the squad. So that's what squads are for."

Cleverley has been buoyed by the Monday loss of Manchester City to Chelsea, leaving United two points off top spot. The England Under-21 international now expects his side to turn up the heat over the Christmas period.

"It's blown the title race wide open but we were confident we'd catch them anyway," said the midfielder. "We've both got hard games coming up this weekend so let's see how it goes.

"We've got great team spirit, the new players have bedded in perfectly, so if anyone can bounce back [from Champions League agony] it's us. We've got a lot of games in a tough period, we've still got a chance in the FA Cup and we're well-placed in the league."

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