• Manchester United midfielder suffering from bowel condition
• 27-year-old not expected to play again this season
Darren Fletcher is to take "an extended break from football'' because of health reasons, Manchester United have announced. The Scotland captain is expected to miss the rest of the season as he receives treatment for ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
Fletcher, who has been sidelined at various points since last season with what was reported to be a virus, has actually been suffering with the condition for some time. He has made only 10 appearances for United this campaign and his last game was the draw against Benfica on 22 November, when he scored.
A club statement said: "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 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."
Fletcher's team-mate Rio Ferdinand tweeted: "We are going to miss two big players in Fletcher and [Nemanja] Vidic. I hope they both come back fitter and stronger than ever."
Fletcher's absence is another blow to United following their elimination from the Champions League last week, and leaves Sir Alex Ferguson short of options in central midfield. Michael Carrick, Park Ji-sung, Darron Gibson and Ryan Giggs are the only recognised players in that position, although the versatile Phil Jones and the youngsters Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison are also options.
Tom Cleverley is hoping to return from injury to play some part in the Christmas fixtures, while Anderson is not expected back until February.
Craig Levein, Scotland's manager, said: "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.
"He is one of the most inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with and, on behalf of his Scotland team-mates and my backroom staff, I sincerely hope this time off, allied to the support of his family, will enable him to make a full recovery."
Fletcher's last appearance in international football came in November's 2-1 friendly win for Scotland in Cyprus, in which he played 64 minutes before being replaced by Brighton's Craig Mackail-Smith. "He is a central part of our plans for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers but, at this stage, his health is paramount and I would like to reiterate the best wishes of everyone at involved with the national team and the Scottish FA," Levein said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/13/darren-fletcher-illness-manchester-united
Surely Ferguson will be looking at a Midfielder in the January window now. United were short in that position with him available.
