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Fletcher takes break for 'health reasons'

Fletcher takes break for 'health reasons'


Fletcher takes break for health reasons

Manchester United have confirmed that they will be without the services of midfielder Darren Fletcher for an 'extended' period of time as he is not being able to keep good health.

Fletcher is one of United's youth products and has been an integral part of the United midfield over the last few years. He is also the captain of the Scottish national football team since August 2009, having obtained 57 caps for his home nation.

Fletcher caught an unknown virus towards the end of last season which was later revealed to be ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.

He has since returned, playing 10 times this season, but has never been in top form. After a few more medical tests, doctors have suggested that the Scot spend some time away from football.

A statement on United's official website 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.

"We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery."

This news will definitely put Sir Alex Ferguson in a spot since he has already lost his captain Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season, and will be without midfielders Anderson and Tom Cleverley for atleast another month.

It is believed that Ferguson will be in the market for potential replacements in the January transfer window.