Darren Fletcher

A much maligned player and certainly far from the finished article. However I have no doubts in 2 - 3 years he will be a top level player, especially if he stays at Man United and develops. If not a first team player, then at least a very important squad player similar to how Nicky Butt was for us.

I've seen him out play Gattuso and De Rossi (for Scotland) and he's given some outstanding performances, against Arsenal in particular.

He has a bit of everything to his game, however he is yet to excel in any area. However he is still only 21 and that will come.

I really think its to early to write him off.

I agree, my worry is i don´t think he´s made the sort of progress he should have in the last couple of seasons. i expected him to be afirts team regular by now when he first got into the side. he needs a v big season this time around imho to convince saf to persist

The one problem with him is that he lacks pace. IMO he would be a great success in Spain - the reason he plays well against Arsenal is because we allow opposition time and space on the ball.

In Spain he would be a great player IMO, he does seem to struggle sometimes with keeping up with the pace in the premiership though atm

Fletcher needs to bulk up.

Even some of the top players in European Football had to do the same...take um..Kaka for example when he first arrived he was pushed around like a kid...he bulked up and no one can touch him now.

NOTE: I am not saying Fletcher will end up as good as Kaka, but he needs to get physical..

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:I agree, my worry is i don´t think he´s made the sort of progress he should have in the last couple of seasons. i expected him to be afirts team regular by now when he first got into the side. he needs a v big season this time around imho to convince saf to persist

Yep, agree. After 2004/2005 where he was playing in the middle with Keane and Scholes (and often outperforming them) I really thought he would have a big future. However 2005/2006 he didn't kick on and after Keane (someone who had a big influence on him) went struggled with form and then injuries.

In pre-season though he's been really good against the likes of Celtic and Ajax. He'll be a great back up for Senna, Scholes and Carrick in my opinion.

@ Tweedle

Pace like you said and Strength are his two biggest let downs. So many times he gets fobbed off the ball.

he may come through 'carrick' like and be a bit of a late developer.. there is no doubt he is a decent player but he just lacks that extra combination of pace, power and quality that will make him be a total success at man u.. TBH im not even sure if he is spurs or newcastle level, maybe slightly below that at a club like blackburn, pompey or everton is where he will end up

i think if he bulked up he could overcome the pace issue, its more stamina at the moment, plenty of players lack pace, ie carrick, although playing both may create a problem you need some decent pace in central midfield these days

He is great as long as he stays away from the flanks. He is not a winger ffs. He will be a more than able backup to Carick.

Netsanet wrote:He is great as long as he stays away from the flanks. He is not a winger ffs. He will be a more than able backup to Carick.

Yeah on the right he is mince.

What the fuck was up with that matey presenting tha amsterdam tournement calling him a winger

poiuy1 wrote:What the fuck was up with that matey presenting tha amsterdam tournement calling him a winger

McQueen is normally quite knowledgable about all things Man United. Strange comments to be honest.

Darren's biggest assets are his leadership both by example and vocally. You cannot gain this he's had it right from when he first broke into the side.

Another problem with him is that he doesn't look pretty on the ball like a Carrick or a Viera or someone like that

He does however have good vision and reading of the game both attacking wise and defnecively for such a young player.

If he could just gain a bit of consistancy he would be a top player. Not the focus of the team but someone like Nicky Butt as you said although he does have more natural talent IMO

parks lives wrote:

Netsanet wrote:He is great as long as he stays away from the flanks. He is not a winger ffs. He will be a more than able backup to Carick.

Yeah on the right he is mince.

Fletcher does not have the pace to play on the wing. His natural postion is in the centre, in this postion he also lacks pace. But he is not strong enough to play there. Because of his physical size he can not dominate this position. He needs to start pumping the iron.

oh that was Mcqueen? wow

poiuy1 wrote:Darren's biggest assets are his leadership both by example and vocally. You cannot gain this he's had it right from when he first broke into the side.

Another problem with him is that he doesn't look pretty on the ball like a Carrick or a Viera or someone like that

He does however have good vision and reading of the game both attacking wise and defnecively for such a young player.

If he could just gain a bit of consistancy he would be a top player. Not the focus of the team but someone like Nicky Butt as you said although he does have more natural talent IMO

He's defensive side is often underlooked. He's a bit like Carrick in that he doesn't make loads of tackles, he just closes down space and intercepts passes.

Mulletmassive wrote:

parks lives wrote:

Netsanet wrote:He is great as long as he stays away from the flanks. He is not a winger ffs. He will be a more than able backup to Carick.

Yeah on the right he is mince.

Fletcher does not have the pace to play on the wing. His natural postion is in the centre, in this postion he also lacks pace. But he is not strong enough to play there. Because of his physical size he can not dominate this position. He needs to start pumping the iron.

Ive read interviews with him, he says he is on a diet plan to bulk up. He says he is just one of those body types that will fill out after he's around 23.

He isn't that slow though no slower then Keane or Scholes

can´t wait to see what n18 has to say

The-Frank-Tavern wrote:can´t wait to see what n18 has to say

He wont be happy, and the subject will soon change to torres

He's the Owen Hargreaves of United really especially with teh supporters who don't really have a firm grasp of tactics

Mulletmassive wrote: He needs to start pumping the iron.

Yep. That or go on loan to Bolton for a season.

I don't think going on loan will do him any good he's a confidence playr it will wreck him going on loan

parks lives wrote:

Mulletmassive wrote: He needs to start pumping the iron.

Yep. That or go on loan to Bolton for a season.

Would he get into Bolton's first team?

Big Sam likes agressive players, I think he would see fletcher as too light-weight.

I always rated him (as do SAF) ,his pro
blem was the years he missed through injury.

Mulletmassive wrote:

parks lives wrote:

Mulletmassive wrote: He needs to start pumping the iron.

Yep. That or go on loan to Bolton for a season.

Would he get into Bolton's first team?

Big Sam likes agressive players, I think he would see fletcher as too light-weight.

They play 3 in central midfield.

So Nolan, Fletcher and one of Speed or Faye.

The other plus point is he always gives you 110%[/u]

Fletcher would do well at any UEFA cup team im pretty sure

Allardyce was actually after him earlier this summer but i'd rather he stays

parks lives wrote:

Mulletmassive wrote:

parks lives wrote:

Mulletmassive wrote: He needs to start pumping the iron.

Yep. That or go on loan to Bolton for a season.

Would he get into Bolton's first team?

Big Sam likes agressive players, I think he would see fletcher as too light-weight.

They play 3 in central midfield.

So Nolan, Fletcher and one of Speed or Faye.

Nolan, Speed and Fletcher could be a good conbitation in midfield.

Is he going on loan ?

Mulletmassive wrote:

parks lives wrote:

Mulletmassive wrote:

parks lives wrote:

Mulletmassive wrote: He needs to start pumping the iron.

Yep. That or go on loan to Bolton for a season.

Would he get into Bolton's first team?

Big Sam likes agressive players, I think he would see fletcher as too light-weight.

They play 3 in central midfield.

So Nolan, Fletcher and one of Speed or Faye.

Nolan, Speed and Fletcher could be a good conbitation in midfield.

Yep, Speed holding, Nolan attacking, Fletcher box to box.

BilalShah wrote:Is he going on loan ?

No. I was just saying if he did go on loan, someone like Bolton would be ideal, so he could beef up.