With the help of coaches Rene Meulensteen, Tony Strudwick and Mike Clegg, we assess how Darren Fletcher's matured into one of the game's best midfielders...

Amid the hysteria of Champions League triumph in Moscow, Darren Fletcher was, inwardly at least, somewhere else. Saturated by rain rather than sweat, the unused substitute joined his colleagues in celebration, but was at a crossroads. He’d spent much of 2007/08 on the bench. Tabloid tittle-tattle tipped Fletcher for a move from Old Trafford; it seemed he was poised for a fresh start.

The new chapter began, however, with the signing of a fresh Reds contract. Its timing, at the start of 2008/09, prompted the Sir Alex Ferguson to describe it as “the relief of the season”. And the manager’s unwavering faith in his countryman has been spectacularly rewarded ever since the ink dried. The 25-year-old’s transformation over the last 18 months has been turbo-charged. The player of bulging heart, but slight frame, is no longer Sir Alex’s secret big-game weapon; Fletch now stokes the flames in the engine-room. Two derby goals against Manchester City has capped a string of performances ticking every box on the MOT of a top-drawer midfielder this season; the Scot’s stock is at an all-time high.

Undoubtedly, the chief cause of his emergence has been patience: a virtue both Fletcher and Sir Alex share. Through times of doubt from sections of United’s support, and months of relative inactivity – just five top-flight starts in 2007/08 – Fletcher was placated by his manager’s reassurances that his time would come. Every probing interviewer’s question met a straight bat. In August 2008 he said: “I’m going to work hard and use every disappointment as fuel to get into the team.”

Fletch has been every inch a man of his word. He redoubled his efforts – and hasn’t looked back. It’s the model any aspiring Red would do well to follow. Naturally fit already, he threw himself into a punishing regime, evolving into a prime physical specimen. “He made a conscious decision to come back after Moscow and work hard,” says first-team fitness coach Tony Strudwick. “He’s now reaping the rewards of being a top-class professional.

“There was definitely a change in the way he approached his training last season. When I first came here, Fletch would go straight into the jacuzzi after training and he’d get a bit of stick about not going into the gym. It’s been a buy-in really, by Darren, in terms of what it takes to be a professional footballer. Now he’s one of the first in the gym in the morning, and can be among the last to leave after training. As fitness coaches, you can only give them so much. That motivation comes from within. Darren has an abundance of that.”

Fletcher openly cites the influence of strength and conditioning coach Mike Clegg as a major factor behind his transformation. Gone is the wispy, willowy youngster who shirked the weights; in his place, an unerringly dedicated pro who’s mastered his body. Clegg, a vocal motivator, ushered Fletch onto the right road by showing him a flesh-and-blood blueprint for physical perfection: Cristiano Ronaldo. “I’ve worked with Darren since he was a teenager,” says Clegg. “But he wasn’t kicking on. I told him to look at Ronaldo and the way he was utterly dedicated. He came into the gym every morning and after every training session. If Darren wanted to get the best out of himself, he’d have to match that. So he started on a plan and steadily worked harder and harder, and over 18 to 20 months got it right.

“Gym work is a very fine balance – few get it spot on. Darren’s learned the secret of striking the balance between what you do on the pitch and what you do in the gym. At the moment he’s got it absolutely nailed. He’s in the gym every day. Some days I’ll say he needs to do more of something; others I have to tell him he’s had enough. It’s a balance, but Darren is absolutely bang on at the moment. The only other player I’ve worked with who got it so spot on was Ronaldo.”

High praise indeed. But Clegg’s not done with the compliments. “Fletch’s lifestyle is perfect. It’s not just down to his training, diet, or being teetotal. He’s got a nice wife, nice children, a good lifestyle and he’s fulfilling his dreams. He’s a very motivated, happy guy who is successful in his work.”

Hard yards in the gym have become easier out on the pitch thanks to Fletcher’s strength, power and reactions being cultivated. But his natural level of stamina has always been high – recall 2004’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal, where 20-year-old Fletch ran Patrick Vieira and company into the ground as Roy Keane barked the orders. That blurred image of Fletcher in perpetual motion has been a lasting one for many supporters, who perceived him perhaps as an energetic trier, prospering by hassling more illustrious opponents into submission. For years, his main terrace salute The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), altered to include the line: “He will run 500 miles, and he will run 500 more.” But Fletch sought to broaden the parameters of his game with first team coach Rene Meulensteen, who worked closely with him as he sought to bounce back from a knee injury in early 2008. Then working as a skills development coach, Meulensteen witnessed first-hand Fletcher’s desire to evolve.

“We did lots of ball work, and he really embraced it,” he says. “We talked about adding weapons to his armoury and making him a more complete midfielder. He’s definitely become more skilful, and has more confidence to produce on the pitch. His passing is better. He tended to stick to passing square and back, now he’ll hit the early forward pass too. Overall he’s become a more complete technical footballer.

“The one thing that stands out, and this is what characterises Fletch, is his unbelievable drive and aggression to close people down. He has a massive work-rate to give the whole team energy. He sucks other players along with him. That total package, together with the experience of playing in bigger games, has made him into the footballer he is now.

“You can’t put a value on winning possession and rarely losing it. You need that skill. If you want to strive to win trophies and titles, you need players like Fletch, definitely. He’s what we call an ‘and-and’ player now. Before, he was good at doing a defensive job and closing players down, but he wasn’t producing that kind of quality going forward. That’s what he’s doing now.”

Fletcher’s growing importance to the United cause was painfully underlined in the defeat by Barcelona in Rome. The terrible irony of a season fuelled by his failure to feature in a Champions League final, ending in exactly the same way, was not lost on the Scot. His harsh red card in the semi-final stroll at Arsenal ruled out an almost certain start against the Catalans, and his ball-winning and possession game was conspicuous by its absence.

Even as he jogged from the Emirates pitch, however, Fletcher carried himself with the utmost dignity, barely casting so much as a backward glance at the referee who had just denied him a dream. The focus was on continuing to look forward, as he has throughout a career in which the horizons get bigger and brighter by the day.

A decade on from his senior debut - 13 October 1999 v Aston Villa - John O’Shea reflects on ten stand-out moments in a special interview with Inside United…

4.8.99 Pre-season – Wigan Athletic 0 United 2 | A chance to shine
I’d come on as a substitute for David May the day before during a friendly with Omagh Town and I did the same again at Wigan. My competitive debut at Villa in the League Cup was a very proud occasion, but also a real eye-opener. We lost 3-0 and the manager was not very happy – the hairdryer was in overdrive that night!

23.4.03 UCL QF 2, United 4 Real Madrid 3 (Agg 5-6) | The Figo nutmeg
This was just an amazing game to be part of. Madrid had some unbelievable players in their side – Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos – they were the first Galacticos and the holders of the trophy at the time. People always ask me about my nutmeg against Figo – it was just instinctive. The chance arose and I took it!

11.5.03 Barclays Premiership, Everton 1 United 2 | Title glory
The champagne was certainly flowing on this picture – it was a first winners’ medal for all three of us! This was an unbelievable day - probably the stand-out moment of my career so far. What made it even more special was the way we’d come back to win the title after being written off earlier in the season.

22.5.04 FA Cup Final, Millennium Stadium, United 3 Millwall 0 | Up for the Cup
Fletch looks about 10-years-old on this photo! This day means a lot because it’s the only FA Cup final I’ve won. We’d beaten Arsenal in another classic semi-final at Villa Park, but Millwall had been on an unbelievable run to get to the final and we knew we had to perform well. Thankfully we did and Ronaldo - wow, he looks really young on this photo too! - in particular put in a very special performance.

1.2.05 Barclays Premier League, Arsenal 2 United 4 | In chipper mood
The shock on my face stayed there for a while after the final whistle after this goal! I remember the ball being played down the line to Louis [Saha] who flicked it into Scholesy and he spotted my run inside. I had a feeling the keeper was off his line so I went for the chip and thankfully it dropped in.

4.2.2007 Barclays Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur 0 United 4 | In safe hands
I look terrified don’t I! The game was over by the time I was called upon to go in goal after Edwin had gone off injured, so I felt fairly confident. I remember coming out and flapping at a couple of crosses, but I was really pleased with my tackle on Robbie Keane when we were one-on-one - if any of our keepers want advice they don’t just have [goalkeeping coach] Eric Steele to call on, they have me as well!

3.3.2007 Barclays Premier League, Liverpool 0 United 1 | Kop that
Technically this isn’t the best goal I’ve scored, but in terms of importance it’s up there with the one against Arsenal in last season’s Champions League semi-final and is definitely one of the best moments in my career. It was a huge win for us and was a sickener for our rivals given how late we scored. Two months later we were champions.

29.4.09 UCL SF 1, United 1 Arsenal 0 | Gunned down
To score the winner in a Champions League semi-final was an amazing feeling. It was just an instinctive finish. A corner came in and was only half cleared. Michael [Carrick] fired it back into the danger area and when it dropped to me I just smashed it home.

27.5.09 UCL Final, Stadio Olimpico, Barcelona 2 United 0 | Reds in ruins
Personally, this was a bittersweet night. It was an amazing experience to start a Champions League final – playing in a game of that importance is what you work towards throughout your career, but ultimately it ended in disappointment. Barca will definitely be one of the favourites for the trophy this season, but with the squad we have we’re definitely capable of challenging again.

16.8.09 Barclays Premier League, United 1 Birmingham City 0 | Leading the way
Captaining United in the opening game of the season as champions was a huge honour and something I’ll always cherish. The Birmingham win set us on our way to what could turn out to be a very special season. We’ve won three titles on the trot and we’ve got a great chance of getting a fourth.

October 06, 2009

UNITED are second in the Premier League and have made a 100 per cent start in the Champions League - yet still there is a sense that the title holders are not firing on all cylinders.

Without the spark of Cristiano Ronaldo and the tenacity of Carlos Tevez, among fans and critics alike there is a sense that the Reds are collectively out-of-sorts.

Impressive victories against Wigan and Spurs have been balanced by a fortuitous defeat of Arsenal, an ultimately triumphant derby that was fraught with problems, and an uncomfortable Champions League success against Wolfsburg that was followed at the weekend by a poor effort against Sunderland.

It is not uncommon for United to have such an up and down start. Twelve months ago they were in fifth place and the year before could barely score yet they went on to finish both campaigns as worthy champions.

But are the problems this autumn more than just United's annual cold start?

Here M.E.N. Sport analyses the Reds' departments.

GOALKEEPER

The bedrock of United's glorious 90s era was Peter Schmeichel. The foundation of the success during the past three years has been Edwin Van der Sar.

In between, was a period of uncertainty in the goalkeeping department.

The filling in the sandwich between the Danish and Dutch greats was a mix of tasty bites and unpalatable mouthfuls.

This season has seen a return of the ingredients that caused Sir Alex Ferguson and United fans so much indigestion between 1999 and 2006.

While Van der Sar has been recovering from a finger injury sustained in pre-season, Ben Foster has been handed the chance to prove he will be a worthy successor to the Dutch master. The England World Cup wannabe, however, has suffered something of a calamitous introduction to his first lengthy run in United's goal.

Foster is a hugely likeable guy and, essentially, a very good keeper but appears to be suffering in the spotlight at times.

There have been Van der Sar moments but too many echoes of Massimo Taibi. Fergie has nailed his colours to the Foster mast while the Dutch veteran has been absent, though Tomasz Kuszczak did get a surprise outing against Wolfsburg.

But the United boss will be encouraged that Van der Sar could be fit for the Old Trafford clash against Bolton a week on Saturday.

He will also be comforted that the near 39-year-old has said his retirement plans, initially thought to be at the end of the season, are not set in stone.

The Reds have a dossier on potential new keeper recruits, as in all departments, and there is every chance bidding for those targets might become serious in January.

DEFENCE

RIO Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been rightly lauded as one of the best central defensive partnerships in Europe over the last three years.

The Reds have had that first choice unit together on four occasions this season - against Spurs, City, Stoke and Wolfsburg. Thigh and groin injuries for the Englishman and a calf problem for the Serb has broken up the pairing and in searching for 100 per cent fitness both have had an uneasy time.

Ferdinand had a dodgy early return in the opening minutes at Spurs and was poor by his high standards in the derby.

Vidic, meanwhile, hasn't looked his commanding self recently against the big guys of Wolfsburg and Sunderland.

Jonny Evans has done a manful job standing in and must now be seeing real windows of opportunity in what has been a solid and trusted area.

A run of games could see the Ferdinand-Vidic axis restore its customary meanness. But it is a concern that the foundation of last season's success should be looking so uncomfortable and vulnerable.

MIDFIELD

The department where Fergie has an abundance of numbers and which causes the most debate as he mixes and matches his middle men.

It's not as if the forums or pub debates would come up with a definitive answer as to United's best midfield quartet.

But ask who might add something extra to the department and you'd almost certainly have the names of Owen Hargreaves and Franck Ribery flooding in.

At least the former is on the Reds' books and could be back next month after his nightmare 12 months out with a serious knee injury.

Of those who have occupied the midfield this term there can be little argument that the sensational Ryan Giggs, maestro Paul Scholes and key hub Darren Fletcher have been the outstanding performers.

Everyone else has to search their conscience.

It has been a quiet introduction for Antonio Valencia. Some moments of great promise but the £17m recruit from Wigan has yet to really take a game by the scruff of the neck.

Meanwhile, Nani continues to frustrate the Old Trafford crowd with his abundant skill but precious little end product, while Anderson, Ji-sung Park, Darron Gibson and Michael Carrick have barely registered on the radar so far.

For all the numbers in there, the majority of Reds fans are waiting for the return of the man who has had two major knee operations in the last 12 months.

ATTACK

Once Karim Benzema snubbed United for Real Madrid, there wasn't really a top young striker available who Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to risk money on.

It did leave United's spearhead, once proudly boasting four top-notch hitmen, somewhat light on numbers.

Even the free transfer addition of Michael Owen has so far been a stop-start affair.

A goal against Wigan and his sensational derby winner against City suggested Owen could prove to be another Fergie masterstroke signing. However, his recent groin problem has tempered that excitement.

Wayne Rooney's goals have dwindled after a blistering start while Dimitar Berbatov is slowly beginning to add more names to his fan club.

But the back-up is young and, at present, lightweight. Danny Welbeck played against Wolfsburg on the wing while last season's brief smash-hit, Federico Macheda, has had just a single Carling Cup run-out.

However, there has been speculation that perhaps some of last season's adulation has gone to the Italian's head.

What isn't in doubt is that Fergie was unhappy that the teenage pair were away more on international duty than getting a bread and butter grounding at Old Trafford this season.

Though there are five names in the attacking frame, it is very much the Rooney-Berbatov axis that is being asked to bear the brunt of the responsibility.

James Robson

October 07, 2009
WAYNE Rooney has warned United's Premier League rivals - You ain't seen nothing yet!

The England striker is in the form of his life with eight goals for club and country - but insists there is still more to come.

And the 24-year-old has set his sights on breaking Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time England goal-scoring record.

Rooney's goals have fired Fabio Capello's side to next summer's World Cup and have helped Sir Alex Ferguson fill the void of Cristiano Ronaldo.

But he still wants more.

"I have played better," he said. "I think it's because I am scoring more goals, and forwards are always judged on goals, that people are saying I'm in my best form.

"I honestly believe I can get a lot better. I know I can.

"I would certainly like to score more goals."

Record

Specifically he'd like to break Charlton's record of 49 goals for England - and with 25 already, he is well on course.

"I spoke to Sir Bobby last week about it and we discussed playing and scoring for England," he said. "It would be a dream come true to do it and mean so much to me.

"It would also be fantastic if two Manchester United players were to be one and two in the list.

"But don't rule out Michael Owen. He still has a chance of the record.

"I do sometimes think about how far I can go in my career and what I can win. It is about trophies, isn't it? For Manchester United and England. That is what I play for. And I do want to get better and better."

Owen meanwhile, has stoked the fires ahead of United's clash with Liverpool on October 25.

The former Anfield star has described United as the biggest club in the world.

"It's fantastic working with Sir Alex," said Owen, who expects to recover from his groin strain in time to face Liverpool.

"It's everything you would expect of a top, top team, probably the biggest club in the world."

Darren Fletcher and Alan Hutton have pulled out of the Scotland squad, bringing the number of withdrawals for Saturday's match in Japan to 10.

Watford's Don Cowie and Norwich City's Stephen Hughes have been added - Craig Conway had been called up on Tuesday.

Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney and Steven Naismith pulled out on Tuesday, as did Scott Robertson, only hours after being added to the squad.

Robert Snodgrass, Kevin Thomson, Garry O'Connor and Danny Fox, exited earlier.

Lee Wallace of Hearts and Aberdeen's Lee Miller had been called up on Monday and were among only 10 outfield players fit to train on Tuesday.

But the withdrawals of Manchester United's Fletcher and Tottenham Hotspur's Hutton came as a surprise, being announced shortly before the Scots left Glasgow Airport bound for Japan.

There were no details given about their injuries, but they have forced manager George Burley to look to England's League One for midfield cover in the shape of Hughes.

Wayne Rooney admits he has his eyes firmly on becoming England's greatest ever goal-scorer.

The 23-year-old Manchester United striker already has 25 goals to his name from 55 England appearances.

The current record stands at 49 and belongs to Sir Bobby Charlton and Rooney admits the mark is already in his sights.

"I spoke to Sir Bobby last week about it and we discussed playing and scoring for England," he told the Daily Star.

"It would be a dream come true to do it and mean so much to me.

"It would also be fantastic if two Manchester United players were to be one and two in the list.

"But don't rule out Michael (Owen) and he still has a chance of the record."

Rooney admitted that his real desire now in his career was to win more medals for club and country.

"I do sometimes think about how far I can go in my career and what I can win," he continued.

"It is about trophies, isn't it? For Manchester United and England. That is what I play for. And I do want to get better and better."

Frustration

Despite his tender years, Rooney has already been to two major finals with England - Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

But he admits that he has only tasted frustration so far for England and wants to make sure that does not happen again next summer.

"The last two tournaments, in 2004 and 2006, were frustrating for me and the team and there is now a feel-good factor under Fabio Capello," he said.

"We are playing as well as at any time since I came into the squad and the one thing you know with Mr Capello is that if you are not playing well you will not be in the team. That keeps us all on our toes and wanting to perform."

Many feel that Rooney is currently playing the best football of his career - but he feels there is still a lot more to come.

"I have played better," he said. "I think it's because I am scoring more goals, and forwards are always judged on goals, that people are saying I'm in my best form."

"I honestly believe I can get a lot better. I know I can.

"I would certainly like to score more goals."

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has told his team-mates that they must get 'back to business' after dropping points against Sunderland.

The defending Premier League champions sacrificed top spot in the table last weekend as they drew at home to Sunderland before Chelsea defeated Liverpool.

Van der Sar now believes United must go on another winning run to match the run of eight successive victories which the Black Cats brought to an end.

The Dutchman is expected to return from his hand injury when Bolton arrive after the international break and he has his sights set on success.

"It was disappointing to drop points against Sunderland," he told MUTV. "It is always nice if you can go away for the internationals with three points.

"Now we have to get a run going without losing any more.

"For the lads who have not gone away, there is plenty of hard work before then, and we will also have to see how everyone comes back.

"But we have to get back to business, forget about the draw at the weekend and start getting positive results again."

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan right-back Maicon.

The 28-year-old Brazil international joined the Nerazzurri from Monaco in 2006 and has been a key player at the Giuseppe Meazza since Jose Mourinho's arrival.

Maicon's agent Antonio Caliendo says the player is set to remain in Italy for the time being, although he admits United have stepped up their interest.

"United's interest in my client is not something new," he told Tuttopremier.it.

"They have been following him for a while. Now it seems to me that they are pressing for him, but I don't think there have been any concrete offers yet."

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has admitted his desperation to put his injury nightmare behind him and return to first-team action.

The England player has been sidelined for more than a year and has undergone operations to cure tendinitis in both of his knees.

But Hargreaves is edging towards a return to action and is set to step up his rehabilitation by beginning working with a ball at United's training ground.

And the former Bayern Munich ace confesses he is very keen to return to manager Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.

"I can't wait to get back involved in it all," he told the club's official website.

"I can't wait to play again for United, to be able to pull on the shirt and have an effect on games.

"Running out at Old Trafford will be a big thing for me. It will be amazing."

Manchester United have been given the green light to step up their interest in Russian No 1 Igor Akinfeev.

CSKA Moscow are prepared to let United speak to the £10million-rated goalkeeper in the January transfer window.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to recruit a world-class keeper with Edwin van der Sar set to retire in May and growing doubts over Ben Foster.

Akinfeev, 23, who has also been watched by Arsenal, made his Russia debut five years ago is one of Guus Hiddink's emerging stars.

It is understood he would jump at the chance of moving to Old Trafford and has told CSKA he wants to speak to United in January.

Manchester United have revived their bid to sign Valencia's £35million-rated striker David Villa. The 27-year-old is back at the top of the club's wish list, with Sir Alex Ferguson determined to get his man.

United thought they might land Spain's star of Euro 2008 last May by matching Valencia's asking price, only for Villa to stall as he hoped to join either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

But now, with the Spanish clubs investing heavily in other strikers, United hope he can be persuaded to join them next summer.

They have made contact with Valencia through an intermediary, and want to agree a deal ahead of the World Cup to avoid an auction.

Ferguson is also set to move for CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev if Edwin van der Sar retires. The 23-year-old, who became Russia's youngest international at 18 years and 20 days, will play for CSKA when they entertain United in the Champions League on Wednesday week.

UNITED TARGET JAMES

ENGLAND goalkeeper David James could emerge as a shock target for Manchester United in January.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will assess Ben Foster’s form and Edwin van der Sar’s return from injury over the next couple of months before deciding on James.

Van der Sar is due to return from injury on Saturday and, in a further blow to Foster, has vowed to hold on to his spot for another season, saying: “I do want my place back.”

Portsmouth are already braced for a battle to hang on to James in January but know they would be virtually powerless to stop him from moving to Old Trafford.

And he would be eligible to play in the Champions League. James, who would cost only about £1million, proved he is the leading candidate to start next summer’s World Cup as first-choice for England by producing an assured performance in the 1-0 defeat against Ukraine.

It is expected James will start England’s final World Cup qualifier against Belarus tomorrow, with Robert Green, sent off against Ukraine, suspended.

Foster has been less than convincing in his efforts to prove he can succeed Van der Sar, 38, who is yet to play this season after breaking two bones in his hand.

Van der Sar made his comeback from injury in a reserve game against Everton last week and Ferguson will now monitor his recovery .

“Ben has had a couple of unlucky moments but I’m sure he is going to bounce back from this,” said Van der Sar. “He has the strength of character to overcome what
he has been through .”

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/133673...ed-target-James