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Ferguson expects Fletcher return

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Darren Fletcher's long-term prospects can only be improved by his season-ending surgery.

Last Updated: 18/01/13 at 14:52 Post Comment

Darren Fletcher: Has undergone surgery

Darren Fletcher: Has undergone surgery

The Scotland midfielder has undergone an operation to resolve bowel condition ulcerative colitis.

Ferguson said on Friday: "This improves his prospects. I felt he wasn't the Darren Fletcher of three or four years ago. When he comes back it will be in a different role. The boy's attitude is absolutely brilliant."

Fletcher has been struggling with the problem since March 2011, although his extended absences from the United side were dismissed by Ferguson as a virus.

However, once it became obvious the Scotland captain could not play his way through the injury, United eventually confirmed the extent of the condition and that he was going to take a full break.

Fletcher even missed pre-season training last summer to ensure his comeback was a success, making his re-appearance as a substitute against Galatasaray at Old Trafford in September.

However, despite speaking optimistically about his recovery after a substitute appearance against CFR Cluj immediately after the Reading game in early December, a one-minute run-out against Newcastle on Boxing Day proved to be his 10th and final appearance of the campaign.

Ferguson was also asked his view on the Football Association's decision to rescind the red card shown to Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany this week, which leaves the Belgian free to face Fulham.

The Scot was guarded in his response, but felt the national governing body could have paved the way for many more appeals by overturning the suspension.

He said: "Anything I say will be regarded as biased. It is unusual though. It opens the door but that is (the FA's) problem."

Ferguson also confirmed that defender Jonny Evans was still out with a hamstring problem and would miss Sunday's trip to Tottenham.

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s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

S

adly this is inevitable. No club outside the top 4/5 can hang on to anyone who shows that kind of talent anymore. Might be best for them to get as much as they can now while his stock is high and start again. On the plus side lads, Grant Holt is still available.

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Lambert issues Benteke warning

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ot just Man Strength but Genuine Man Strength . As opposed to all that imposter Man Strength floating around out there.

towelmaster
Rodgers: Coutinho is a star

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