• Premier League

Fergie plays down Fletcher retirement talk

ESPN staff
May 5, 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful Darren Fletcher will return for Manchester United © PA Photos
Enlarge

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has poured cold water on reports midfielder Darren Fletcher is planning to announce his retirement.

Fletcher is battling a chronic bowel condition and in the wake of United's loss to Manchester City, it was claimed the midfielder had taken the decision to retire.

Ferguson claims the rumours are wide of the mark, although he has admitted Fletcher faces a fight to return to competitive action.

"We're hoping he will start pre-season training," Ferguson said. "He is on the recovery road at the moment in the sense of some work he is doing."

Ferguson admitted it is tough to make an accurate assessment of Fletcher's condition because the Scotland captain is still receiving treatment.

"We can't assess it because we don't know enough about it," Ferguson said. "Darren's medical people are dealing with it and our doctor has a good idea of the situation but at the moment the boy is doing his best to come back."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices