• Premier League

Fergie encouraged by Fletcher return

ESPN staff
August 15, 2012
Darren Fletcher has been sidelined for a while © Getty Images
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Sir Alex Ferguson hopes that Darren Fletcher has begun a comeback that will take him into the Manchester United side after the midfielder made his first appearance for nine months.

Fletcher came on as a substitute in United's 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen in a testimonial for Neil Simpson, one of Ferguson's former players.

Because of a chronic bowel problem that first sidelined him at the end of the 2010-11 season, it was the 28-year-old's first appearance since November's 2-2 draw with Benfica.

United have not put a date on when Fletcher could return to the first team for a competitive game - but Scotland still hope he could play for them within a month.

"For Darren, it's great to be back and I hope it's the start for him," Ferguson told MUTV. "We don't know as we're all aware he's got this issue he needs to deal with and he's dealing with it very well at the moment. What we've seen is encouraging for us."

Scotland manager Craig Levein believes Fletcher could be back in the national team for their opening World Cup qualifier against Serbia on September 8.

"You might call me silly, but I am still hopeful Darren will be involved," he said. "It is a tall order for him to make the World Cup games but I have not given up on it.

"We will have to wait and see how he does. I would love to have him for all the games but it will be dictated more by Manchester United. They see a lot more of him than I do. They are with him every day."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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