Darren Fletcher: photo, biography

Darren Fletcher was born in 1984, on February 1, in Edinburgh. He is a professional Scottish football player, playing the position of midfielder. The guy is the captain of the English club called "West Bromwich Albion", as well as his national team.

Beginning of football activity

Darren Fletcher is a pupil of the popular English club "Manchester United". He got there in 1995. Until that moment, being quite young, he trained in one of the clubs playing in the East Scotland league. Debut boy for "MU" could in 2000. At that time, by the way, he was the youngest player of the "Red Devils" in their entire history. However, due to the fact that the boy did not sign a professional contract, the debut broke.

Still severely delayed his entry into the field in the main squad numerous injuries. Young Fletcher even had time to break his leg. As a result, his debut took place in 2003, on March 12. The match was held within the framework of the Champions League, and then the English team played against the Swiss "Basel". Initially, the guy took the position of the right midfielder. He was even considered as Beckham's successor. But already in the matches for the reserve, he began to occupy the place of the central midfielder.

Way to success

Darren Fletcher managed to break into the base in the 2003/04 season, showing a good, very stable game. He showed himself well in important matches, among which was the final of the FA Cup. Then, "MJ" won, scoring three goals at the gates of FC "Millwall".

At the beginning of the next season, a young football player rarely went out on the field. However, within a couple of months, he regained his place in the base. In 2005, on January, 1st, the first important goal was designed by Darren Fletcher. "MJ" then played against "Middlesbrough". And the "Red Devils" won with a score of 2: 0.

The young man became one of those players who were sharply criticized by Captain Roy Keane. When Manchester United lost to Middlesbrough (4-1), he said that he sincerely did not understand why in Scotland he was admired by Darren. However, after some time Keen somewhat softened his position. He explained: you just have to listen to his comments over the past couple of years. You can immediately understand who he is paying tribute to the players. Naturally, this Fletch-Kin himself said so.

By the way, Darren Fletcher responded to criticism in 2005, on November 6. Then, "MJ" played against "Chelsea". And the Scot designed the most important goal. It was he who interrupted the unbeaten series of London rivals in the Premier League, which lasted 40 matches in a row.

The mid-2000s

At the beginning of the 2006/07 season, the young Scotsman was still playing at the base of the "Red Devils", but came out only as a substitute. His game did not get any worse. Darren Fletcher designed a goal against Charlton in an away match and scored a ball against opponents from Middlesbrough. He became victorious, by the way.

In 2007, he again scored "Charlton". But all the same Sir Alex Ferguson did not release him from the start, deciding not to turn the quartet of midfielders into a quintet. A bunch of Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs and Carrick was powerful and bearing fruit. But still, when Scholes were disqualified, it was time for Darren Fletcher to start on the field. Footballer helped the club to smash in ¼ Champions League "Roma" - the score was then 7: 1.

But in 2007/08 the team came Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson. Fletch almost ceased to be the basis. Even there were rumors that he would leave the "MU". He really rarely appeared on the field. Beginners came out more often than he did! But when he was released, he always scored. So, for example, in the 4th round of the FA Cup that year, he scored two goals against Arsenal. The final victory was 4: 0.

Contract extension

In the 2008/09 season, Darren Fletcher, whose photo is presented above, played a lot of matches. In the first two, taking place in the Premier League, he completely scored on the goal - first, "Newcastle", and then "Portsmouth". The second of the listed brought the "Red Devils" a victory.

In 2008, Fletch extends his contract until 2012. Then, a couple of weeks later, he scored the third goal of the season against Everton. And coming on as a substitute in the game against the Japanese "Gamba Osaka", scored another influential ball. It was a match that took place in the framework of the club world championship.

When there was a game against Porto (1/4 of the Champions League), Darren came in the starting lineup. Like two semifinal games with Arsenal. But he missed the final because of receiving a red card, which he was "discharged" at the end of the match ½ stage.

And Jose Mourinho, who at that time was the coach of Inter, said that the midfielders of FC Barcelona should be happy about this fact. He said that Fletcher is a more important player than people can think. His work in the middle of the field in the decisive matches does a lot. And Darren's loss is a loss of aggression in a defensive game.

Contribution to the game

In 2009, on September 20, Darren made a double in a significant Manchester derby. "Red Devils" won the match against "ManCity" with a tense account in 4: 3. By the way, in 2012 this match was recognized as the best in the first twenty years of the existence of the Premier League.

In 2010, the Scot participated in the defeat of AC Milan. He scored and one goal within this match. By the way, he was in the 1/8 of the Champions League. And it is noteworthy that this goal was the first that Fletch scored in the European tournament. For that season, he played seven international matches. Thirty times he was released on the field in the Premier League. And in 2010 he was included in the symbolic national team of the Premier League.

But in 2011, Darren announced that he had to stop playing for a while. And all because of ulcerative colitis. He was treated for a long time and returned to football only in 2012, in the fall. However, in January of the next year, 2013, he again suspended his career. He was forced to go to a decisive operation. Finally, Darren returned to football only on December 15, 2013.

After 2015

For many years the Scotsman defended the colors of the "Red Devils". Together with them, he overcame many things. But in 2015, on February 2, Darren Fletcher moved to West Brom. He concluded the contract for 2.5 years. And the debut took place 6 days after the signing of the document. His first goal scored Scotsman in the same year, April 11. It was a ball sent to the gate of "Leicester".

It's interesting that now Fletch is also a player of the main staff of his national Scottish team. Already in his second match he made a goal against the Lithuanian team. It was this goal that helped the Scottish team reach the play-off of the 2004 European Championship. Already on May 26, 2004, Darren came on the field with a captain's armband on his shoulder. Then he became the youngest captain in the history of the national team of Scotland after John Lambi - this guy became captain when he was 17 and 3 months old.

By the way, in October 2005, Fletch scored a goal with 25 meters - this moment was remembered by many, and for a long time.

Achievements

Darren Fletcher, whose biography is full of various facts, is a really good football player. And this is not only the technique of his game, but also various achievements. Four times he won the Premier League, once became the owner of the FA Cup. Also he, along with "MU" won the victory in the Football League Cup (two times).

In 2008 he became the winner of the Champions League. In the same year he won the Club World Cup. And of course, four times he, along with the "Red Devils" won the Super Bowl of England.

And with the team of Scotland Darren won the Cup Kirin. Of personal achievements - a place in the team of the 2009/10 season and in the honorable list of players of the national team of Scotland. And you can be sure - this is still far from a complete list of his achievements. It will still be replenished.