Darren Fletcher
Encyclopedia
Darren Barr Fletcher is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. He is the current captain of Scottish national team
. The industrious footballer has also played as a right winger or as an emergency defender.
Fletcher came through the ranks of Manchester United's Youth Academy
and has gone on to win four Premier Leagues, one FA Cup
, two League Cup
s, the UEFA Champions League
and the FIFA Club World Cup
. Fletcher was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year
for 2009–10.
Fletcher made his Scotland debut in 2003 and scored his first international goal on his second appearance. After Barry Ferguson
was banned from international football because of a breach of regulations, Fletcher was given the captain's armband in August 2009. Fletcher has since gained 57 caps
and scored 7 goals for Scotland.
, Scotland
, Fletcher has been at Manchester United
for his whole career coming up from the youth team. He joined Manchester United as a youth player at the age of 11, and was set to become the youngest player ever to appear in the Manchester United first-team when he was selected for the club's final fixture of the 1999–2000 FA Premier League season against Aston Villa
on 14 May 2000; however, Premier League rules prohibit players on schoolboy contracts from appearing at the senior level, and Fletcher's debut was delayed. He subsequently signed a trainee contract in July 2000, before signing his first professional contract on his 17th birthday on 1 February 2001. Meanwhile, he gradually progressed through the club's youth teams, and was part of the reserve team that won the Manchester Senior Cup
in 1999–2000. He was initially seen as a right midfielder in the David Beckham
mould and was tipped by many to break into the first-team with ease and stay there for many years to come, but as he developed came to be viewed more as a central midfielder. Over the next couple of seasons, Fletcher's involvement was limited due to various injuries, including a broken foot, ; nevertheless, by the 2002–03 season, he had become a regular member of the reserve team, and after several appearances as an unused substitute, he finally made his first-team debut on 12 March 2003 – almost three years behind schedule – starting on the right side of midfield against Basel
in the second group stage of the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League. He was substituted for David Beckham after 73 minutes, but a second Champions League appearance followed against Deportivo de La Coruña
a week later, and he was named as a substitute for both legs of the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid
. For his performances for the reserve team during the 2002–03 season, Fletcher received the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award.
in May 2004.
.
in the wake of United's 4–1 defeat to Middlesbrough in October 2005. Keane reportedly said, "I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher." However, Keane later attempted to set the record straight stating, "If you listen to any of my comments over the last two or three years, if I've given any player credit over the years it would be Fletch. Fletch will tell you that himself." Fletcher went some way towards answering his critics on 6 November 2005, with his performance in the vital league match at home to Chelsea
, scoring the only goal of the game with a looping header. His winning goal ended Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
, as well as scoring the headed winner in the away game with Middlesbrough
in December and another headed goal in the home win against Charlton in February, making it a double against the club that season. As the season progressed, Alex Ferguson preferred the midfield quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo
, Paul Scholes
, Michael Carrick
and Ryan Giggs
, limiting Fletcher to a few substitute appearances. However, with Scholes absent through suspension, he made a starring appearance in United's 7–1 win over Roma in the Champions League
quarter-final.
and Anderson
and winger Nani
, Fletcher played even less than he did during the previous season. As before, Ferguson preferred Carrick, Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo to him in midfield, and got even less playing-time than the new arrivals. He did, however, put in some stalwart performances when given the chance, including two goals in the 4–0 defeat of Arsenal at Old Trafford in the FA Cup
fourth round. Fletcher picked up a Champions League winner's medal but was unused in the final.
In the 2008–09 season
, Fletcher started the first two games, due to injuries to Carrick and Ronaldo, and scored against Newcastle United
at Old Trafford
in United's first Premier League match of the season, forcing a 1–1 draw after Obafemi Martins
' goal. Fletcher notched his second goal of the season opening the scoring from close range against Portsmouth
, following a pass from Patrice Evra
. He was later shown a yellow card on the 93rd minute before the match ended 1–0. On 3 October 2008, Fletcher signed a three-year extension to his contract with Man Utd, keeping him at the club until 2012. Fletcher notched his third goal of the season against Everton
on 25 October. He then scored in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup
semi-final against Gamba Osaka
on 18 December 2008 after coming off the bench. In the Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal
on 5 May 2009, Fletcher was shown a red card ruling him out of the Champions League Final. There were calls for this decision to be overturned, but apart from mistaken identity, there is no appeal procedure for red cards in UEFA competition. Manchester United launched an appeal with UEFA to have the semi final red card overturned on 'compassionate' grounds on 7 May 2009, but this was rejected on 11 May.
of the season, a memorable 4–3 victory for United, twice putting United ahead before Michael Owen
scored in the sixth minute of added-time. He was awarded with the Barclays Man of the Match
award for his performance. On 21 November 2009, Fletcher scored his third of the season, and arguably his best goal for United, hitting a half volley from the edge of the area into the top corner giving United a 1–0 lead against Everton
in a 3–0 win. This season has also seen him and fellow midfielders Michael Carrick
and Park Ji-Sung
deputise in defence due to an injury crisis that left Patrice Evra
being the only fit regular in defence. They still managed to keep a clean sheet against West Ham United
and concede only one goal against Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg
in the Champions League. Fletcher was sent off during the match against Birmingham on 9 January 2010 after 2 bookable offences. On 10 March, Fletcher scored the fourth goal in a 4–0 win in the second leg of United's last 16 Champions League tie with Milan
, making the score 7–2 on aggregate. This was his first goal in the Champions League. Following this, Fletcher captained United for the first time in the league match against West Ham and was later confirmed as United's vice-captain. In April, Fletcher capped a successful season with selection in the 2009–10 PFA Premier League Team of the Year. On 9 May 2010, the last day of the season, Fletcher scored the first goal of a 4–0 win at home to Stoke City
.
away at Benfica, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This was Fletcher's first start for a number of months after being sidelined towards the end of the 2010-11 season with a virus. He then followed this up with his first Premier League appearance of the season in the 3-1 home win against title rivals Chelsea. Fletcher maintained his place in centre midfield in the following Premier League games against Stoke City and Norwich City. On 23 October 2011, Fletcher scored the consolation goal in a 6-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester City, with an exquisite curling shot into the top corner. Fletcher made his 300th career appearance for Manchester United on 5 November in a 1-0 home win against Sunderland
. Fletcher scored United's second goal in a 2-2 draw with SL Benfica
in the UEFA Champions League in November. He met Patrice Evra
's cross at the first attempt, which the goalkeeper got a hand to and he followed it up on the second attempt to score.
, having come off the bench for only his second cap. His goal took Scotland to the play-offs for Euro 2004 On 26 May 2004, he captained Scotland to a 1–0 friendly win against Estonia
in Tallinn
. This made him the youngest Scotland captain since John Lambie of Queen's Park
led the side that beat Ireland
7–2 on Saturday, 20 March 1886. Lambie was aged just 17 years and 92 days.
Fletcher's improvement for his national side was capped by a 25-metre strike in an October 2005 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia
. Fletcher was Scotland's vice-captain under Alex McLeish
, deputising in the absence of regular captain Barry Ferguson
, but following then the removal of Barry Ferguson as captain in 2009, Fletcher was named as full time captain in November 2009.
Statistics accurate as of match played 22 November 2011
|2003||4||1
|-
|2004||9||1
|-
|2005||7||1
|-
|2006||7||1
|-
|2007||7||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
|2009||6||0
|-
|2010||7||0
|-
|2011||5||1
|-
!Total||58||5
|}
He was one of many footballers in the Manchester and Liverpool area whose home was robbed while playing away games when thieves raided his house in February 2009. Grice was held at knifepoint by the thieves. The incident occurred while Fletcher was in Milan
for Manchester United's Champions League fixture against Internazionale
.
Fletcher's father was caught speeding in Fletcher's Range Rover
on the M6 motorway
in Cumbria
on 27 November 2008. As the owner of the car, Fletcher was ordered to identify the driver of the car, but he failed to do so and was summoned to Penrith Magistrates' Court in January 2010. After a hearing, Fletcher received six penalty points on his driver's licence, a £650 fine and was ordered to pay £900 in costs.
Fletcher is involved in a programme to encourage "Deaf Friendly Football" for youngsters. The programme is run by the Manchester United Foundation and the National Deaf Children's Society
.
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. The industrious footballer has also played as a right winger or as an emergency defender.
Fletcher came through the ranks of Manchester United's Youth Academy
Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy
Manchester United Football Club Reserves are the reserve team of Manchester United F.C. They play in the North section of the Premier Reserve League. They have been champions four times since the league's inauguration in 1999; in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010...
and has gone on to win four Premier Leagues, one FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, two League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
s, the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and the FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
. Fletcher was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
for 2009–10.
Fletcher made his Scotland debut in 2003 and scored his first international goal on his second appearance. After Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson MBE is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Blackpool.Ferguson has made 82 appearances in European competitions, all for Rangers, which makes him the record European appearance holder at the club. He was also inducted into the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame...
was banned from international football because of a breach of regulations, Fletcher was given the captain's armband in August 2009. Fletcher has since gained 57 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
and scored 7 goals for Scotland.
Early career
Born in DalkeithDalkeith
Dalkeith is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the River North Esk. It was granted a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Fletcher has been at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
for his whole career coming up from the youth team. He joined Manchester United as a youth player at the age of 11, and was set to become the youngest player ever to appear in the Manchester United first-team when he was selected for the club's final fixture of the 1999–2000 FA Premier League season against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 14 May 2000; however, Premier League rules prohibit players on schoolboy contracts from appearing at the senior level, and Fletcher's debut was delayed. He subsequently signed a trainee contract in July 2000, before signing his first professional contract on his 17th birthday on 1 February 2001. Meanwhile, he gradually progressed through the club's youth teams, and was part of the reserve team that won the Manchester Senior Cup
Manchester Senior Cup
The Manchester FA Senior Cup is an annual football tournament held between the clubs of the Manchester Football Association which was first played in 1885...
in 1999–2000. He was initially seen as a right midfielder in the David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
mould and was tipped by many to break into the first-team with ease and stay there for many years to come, but as he developed came to be viewed more as a central midfielder. Over the next couple of seasons, Fletcher's involvement was limited due to various injuries, including a broken foot, ; nevertheless, by the 2002–03 season, he had become a regular member of the reserve team, and after several appearances as an unused substitute, he finally made his first-team debut on 12 March 2003 – almost three years behind schedule – starting on the right side of midfield against Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in the second group stage of the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League. He was substituted for David Beckham after 73 minutes, but a second Champions League appearance followed against Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
a week later, and he was named as a substitute for both legs of the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
. For his performances for the reserve team during the 2002–03 season, Fletcher received the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award.
2003–04 season
Fletcher broke into the Manchester United team during the 2003–04 campaign, playing a number of important matches and starting in United's 2004 FA Cup Final win over MillwallMillwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
in May 2004.
2004–05 season
Despite a slow start to the 2004–05 campaign, in which in the early part of the season he made very few competitive appearances, Fletcher again broke into the United first-team. On 1 January 2005, Fletcher scored his first goal at club level in a 2–0 win over MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
2005–06 season
Fletcher was one of the players singled out for criticism by club captain Roy KeaneRoy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
in the wake of United's 4–1 defeat to Middlesbrough in October 2005. Keane reportedly said, "I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher." However, Keane later attempted to set the record straight stating, "If you listen to any of my comments over the last two or three years, if I've given any player credit over the years it would be Fletch. Fletch will tell you that himself." Fletcher went some way towards answering his critics on 6 November 2005, with his performance in the vital league match at home to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, scoring the only goal of the game with a looping header. His winning goal ended Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
2006–07 season
In 2006–07, at the start of the season he retained a place in the first-team but only on the bench and scored in an away win over Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, as well as scoring the headed winner in the away game with Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
in December and another headed goal in the home win against Charlton in February, making it a double against the club that season. As the season progressed, Alex Ferguson preferred the midfield quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
, Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, a one-club man who played his entire professional career for Manchester United.Born in Salford, but later moving to Langley, Scholes excelled in both cricket and football in school. He first trained with Manchester United at the age of 14 after being...
, Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
and Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
, limiting Fletcher to a few substitute appearances. However, with Scholes absent through suspension, he made a starring appearance in United's 7–1 win over Roma in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
quarter-final.
2007–08 season
In the 2007–08 season, with the further arrival at the club of fellow central midfielders Owen HargreavesOwen Hargreaves
Owen Lee Hargreaves is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester City and the English national football team....
and Anderson
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira
Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira , best known as Anderson, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the Brazil national team....
and winger Nani
Nani
-People:*Nani, a Portuguese footballer who plays for Manchester United*Gianluca Nani, former technical director at West Ham United*Nanabhoy Palkhivala, nicknamed Nani, an Indian jurist and economist*Nani Roma, a Spanish rally racing driver...
, Fletcher played even less than he did during the previous season. As before, Ferguson preferred Carrick, Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo to him in midfield, and got even less playing-time than the new arrivals. He did, however, put in some stalwart performances when given the chance, including two goals in the 4–0 defeat of Arsenal at Old Trafford in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
fourth round. Fletcher picked up a Champions League winner's medal but was unused in the final.
2008–09 season
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
, Fletcher started the first two games, due to injuries to Carrick and Ronaldo, and scored against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
in United's first Premier League match of the season, forcing a 1–1 draw after Obafemi Martins
Obafemi Martins
Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker for Rubin Kazan and the Nigeria national team. He is known for his speed on the ball....
' goal. Fletcher notched his second goal of the season opening the scoring from close range against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, following a pass from Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
. He was later shown a yellow card on the 93rd minute before the match ended 1–0. On 3 October 2008, Fletcher signed a three-year extension to his contract with Man Utd, keeping him at the club until 2012. Fletcher notched his third goal of the season against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
on 25 October. He then scored in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup
2008 FIFA Club World Cup
-Play-off for Quarter-finals:-Quarter-finals:-----Semi-finals:-----Match for fifth place:-Match for third place:-Final:-Scorers:3 goals Wayne Rooney...
semi-final against Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...
on 18 December 2008 after coming off the bench. In the Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
on 5 May 2009, Fletcher was shown a red card ruling him out of the Champions League Final. There were calls for this decision to be overturned, but apart from mistaken identity, there is no appeal procedure for red cards in UEFA competition. Manchester United launched an appeal with UEFA to have the semi final red card overturned on 'compassionate' grounds on 7 May 2009, but this was rejected on 11 May.
2009–10 season
The 2009–10 season saw Fletcher consolidate his place in the heart of the United midfield, starting all of United's important games. He opened his scoring account for the season with a double in the first Manchester derbyManchester derby
The Manchester derby is the name given to football matches between Manchester City and Manchester United. The local derby centres on the City of Manchester and Greater Manchester with approximately four miles separating the clubs with City based in east Manchester at the City of Manchester Stadium...
of the season, a memorable 4–3 victory for United, twice putting United ahead before Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
scored in the sixth minute of added-time. He was awarded with the Barclays Man of the Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
award for his performance. On 21 November 2009, Fletcher scored his third of the season, and arguably his best goal for United, hitting a half volley from the edge of the area into the top corner giving United a 1–0 lead against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in a 3–0 win. This season has also seen him and fellow midfielders Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and the England national team. He has made more than 300 Premier League appearances and played in 50 UEFA Champions League games as of April 2011...
and Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung
Park Ji-Sung is a South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder for English club Manchester United. He was also the captain of the South Korean national team until his retirement from international football...
deputise in defence due to an injury crisis that left Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
being the only fit regular in defence. They still managed to keep a clean sheet against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and concede only one goal against Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
in the Champions League. Fletcher was sent off during the match against Birmingham on 9 January 2010 after 2 bookable offences. On 10 March, Fletcher scored the fourth goal in a 4–0 win in the second leg of United's last 16 Champions League tie with Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
, making the score 7–2 on aggregate. This was his first goal in the Champions League. Following this, Fletcher captained United for the first time in the league match against West Ham and was later confirmed as United's vice-captain. In April, Fletcher capped a successful season with selection in the 2009–10 PFA Premier League Team of the Year. On 9 May 2010, the last day of the season, Fletcher scored the first goal of a 4–0 win at home to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
.
2011-12 season
Fletcher made his first start of the 2011-12 season in United's first group stage match in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
away at Benfica, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This was Fletcher's first start for a number of months after being sidelined towards the end of the 2010-11 season with a virus. He then followed this up with his first Premier League appearance of the season in the 3-1 home win against title rivals Chelsea. Fletcher maintained his place in centre midfield in the following Premier League games against Stoke City and Norwich City. On 23 October 2011, Fletcher scored the consolation goal in a 6-1 defeat to local rivals Manchester City, with an exquisite curling shot into the top corner. Fletcher made his 300th career appearance for Manchester United on 5 November in a 1-0 home win against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. Fletcher scored United's second goal in a 2-2 draw with SL Benfica
SL Benfica
Sport Lisboa e Benfica , commonly known as simply Benfica or occasionally as Benfica Lisbon, is a Portuguese multi-sports club based in Lisbon. Although they successfully compete in a number of different sports, Benfica is mostly known for its association football team...
in the UEFA Champions League in November. He met Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra
Patrice Latyr Evra is a French international footballer who currently plays for English club Manchester United in the Premier League and the France national team. Originally an attacker, he primarily plays as a left back and is described as "the classic example of a modern full-back" who is...
's cross at the first attempt, which the goalkeeper got a hand to and he followed it up on the second attempt to score.
International career
Fletcher has established himself as a regular choice for Scotland and scored his first goal in a 1–0 win over LithuaniaLithuania national football team
The national football team of Lithuania is under the auspices of the Lithuanian Football Federation. It played its first match in 1923. In 1940, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union; the country regained its independence in 1990 and played their first match as a new nation against Georgia on...
, having come off the bench for only his second cap. His goal took Scotland to the play-offs for Euro 2004 On 26 May 2004, he captained Scotland to a 1–0 friendly win against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
. This made him the youngest Scotland captain since John Lambie of Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
led the side that beat Ireland
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
7–2 on Saturday, 20 March 1886. Lambie was aged just 17 years and 92 days.
Fletcher's improvement for his national side was capped by a 25-metre strike in an October 2005 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
. Fletcher was Scotland's vice-captain under Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
, deputising in the absence of regular captain Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson MBE is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Blackpool.Ferguson has made 82 appearances in European competitions, all for Rangers, which makes him the record European appearance holder at the club. He was also inducted into the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame...
, but following then the removal of Barry Ferguson as captain in 2009, Fletcher was named as full time captain in November 2009.
International goals
- Scores and results list (Scotland's goal tally first).
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 11 October 2003 | Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland... , Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–0 | 1–0 | Euro 2004 qualification UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 5 Standings and results for Group 5 of the 2004 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying tournament.Group 5 consisted of Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania and Scotland... |
|
| 2. | 30 May 2004 | Easter Road Easter Road Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also... , Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... |
1–0 | 4–1 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 3. | 12 October 2005 | Arena Petrol Arena Petrol Arena Petrol is a football stadium in Celje, Slovenia. It is the home ground of NK Celje and was also the home ground for Slovenian national football team for their international home matches from 2004 until 2008.... , Celje Celje Celje is a typical Central European town and the third largest town in Slovenia. It is a regional center of Lower Styria and the administrative seat of the Urban Municipality of Celje . The town of Celje is located under Upper Celje Castle at the confluence of the Savinja, Ložnica, and Voglajna... |
1–0 | 3–0 | 2006 World Cup qualification | |
| 4. | 2 September 2006 | Celtic Park Celtic Park Celtic Park is a football stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which is the home ground of Celtic FC. Celtic Park, an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 60,832, is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the sixth-largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Murrayfield, Old Trafford,... , Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
1–0 | 6–0 | Euro 2008 qualification | |
| 5. | 3 September 2011 | Hampden Park Hampden Park Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland... , Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
2–1 | 2–2 | Euro 2012 qualification UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group I This page shows the standings and results for Group I of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying tournament.- Standings :- Results and fixtures :Group I fixtures were negotiated between the participants at a meeting in Madrid, Spain, on 19 February 2010.... |
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe | OtherIncludes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield FA Community Shield The Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition... , UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup Intercontinental Cup (football) The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores... , FIFA Club World Cup FIFA Club World Cup The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000... |
Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
2002–03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003–04 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2005–06 | 27 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 | 24 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 | 26 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 42 | 4 | |
| 2009–10 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season The 2010–11 season was Manchester United's 19th season in the Premier League, and their 36th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football... |
26 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 3 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season The 2011–12 season is Manchester United's 20th season in the Premier League, and their 37th consecutive season in the top-flight of English football. United are defending Premier League champions, and will be aiming for an unprecedented 20th league title this season. Furthermore, they are competing... |
8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
| Total | 197 | 17 | 23 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 59 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 302 | 23 | |
Statistics accurate as of match played 22 November 2011
International
|-|2003||4||1
|-
|2004||9||1
|-
|2005||7||1
|-
|2006||7||1
|-
|2007||7||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
|2009||6||0
|-
|2010||7||0
|-
|2011||5||1
|-
!Total||58||5
|}
Club
Manchester United- Premier League (4): 2006–07, 2007–08Premier League 2007–08The 2007–08 Premier League season was the sixteenth since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 11 August 2007, and the season ended on 11 May 2008...
, 2008–09Premier League 2008–09The 2008–09 Premier League season was the seventeenth since its establishment in 1992. Manchester United became champions for the eleventh time on the penultimate weekend of the season, defending their crown after winning their tenth Premier League title on the final day of the previous season...
, 2010–112010–11 Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011... - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
(1): 2003–04 - Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
(2): 2005–06, 2009–102010 Football League Cup FinalThe 2010 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Football League Cup, the 50th season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and The Football League. The match, played at Wembley Stadium on 28 February 2010, was won by... - FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
(4): 20032003 FA Community ShieldThe 2003 FA Community Shield was the 81st FA Community Shield, a football match played between the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions...
, 2007, 2008, 20102010 FA Community ShieldThe 2010 FA Community Shield was the 88th FA Community Shield, an annual football match contested by the winners of the previous season's Premier League and FA Cup competitions. The match was played at Wembley Stadium, London, on 8 August 2010, and contested by league and cup double winners Chelsea... - UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
(1): 2007–082008 UEFA Champions League FinalThe 2008 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match that took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2008 at 20:45 CEST . The match was played at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, to determine the winner of the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League... - FIFA Club World CupFIFA Club World CupThe FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
(1): 20082008 FIFA Club World Cup FinalThe 2008 FIFA Club World Cup Final was the final match of the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, a football tournament for the champion clubs from each of FIFA's six continental confederations. The match took place at the International Stadium of Yokohama, Japan, on 21 December 2008, and pitted South...
Individual
- PFA Premier League Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
(1): 2009–10
Personal life
Fletcher is the father of twin boys, Jack and Tyler (born 2007) with his wife, Hayley Grice. The couple married in early June 2010.He was one of many footballers in the Manchester and Liverpool area whose home was robbed while playing away games when thieves raided his house in February 2009. Grice was held at knifepoint by the thieves. The incident occurred while Fletcher was in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
for Manchester United's Champions League fixture against Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
.
Fletcher's father was caught speeding in Fletcher's Range Rover
Range Rover
The Range Rover is a large luxury four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle produced by British car maker Land Rover. The model, launched in 1970, is now in its third generation...
on the M6 motorway
M6 motorway
The M6 motorway runs from junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby via Birmingham then heads north, passing Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and terminating at the Gretna junction . Here, just short of the Scottish border it becomes the A74 which continues to...
in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
on 27 November 2008. As the owner of the car, Fletcher was ordered to identify the driver of the car, but he failed to do so and was summoned to Penrith Magistrates' Court in January 2010. After a hearing, Fletcher received six penalty points on his driver's licence, a £650 fine and was ordered to pay £900 in costs.
Fletcher is involved in a programme to encourage "Deaf Friendly Football" for youngsters. The programme is run by the Manchester United Foundation and the National Deaf Children's Society
National Deaf Children's Society
'The National Deaf Children's Society' is the only British charity solely dedicated to providing support, information and advice for deaf children and young people, their families and professionals working with them....
.
External links
- Profile at ManUtd.com
- Premier League profile of Darren Fletcher