By missing last season's final against Barcelona in Rome due to suspension, the Manchester United midfielder ironically became identified as the reason why Sir Alex Ferguson's team failed to defend their trophy in Rome.
Fletcher's stock rose by virtue of the fact that he was sitting in the stands in his club suit, paying a heavy price for his bewildering dismissal for an apparent goal-saving tackle in the semi-final victory over Arsenal.
But his new identity as the player Man United could not do without washed over Fletcher. For the second time in 12 months, a Champions League final was taking place in front of him when he only wanted to be on the pitch.
"I think my reputation has maybe been enhanced a little bit since missing Rome," Fletcher admits. "But I just watched the final from the stand, behind the bench, with the other lads who weren't involved.
"I was just a fan. I felt the team had put a lot of effort in, so let's go and win it. But after the game, walking around the pitch with the other lads, I was gutted.
"A year earlier, I was on the bench in Moscow [when United beat Chelsea] and didn't get on, so I don't feel as though I have won the Champions League.
"Moscow was great, but you want to play in the final. When you don't get on the pitch, you don't feel involved."
At 25, Fletcher is at least consoled by the fact that he will have more opportunities to make it third time lucky in a Champions League final. His emergence as United's leading midfielder in recent months ensures that he will have a key role in helping the team reach Madrid in May.
But how has it happened? Where has this destructive, energetic goal-scoring midfielder come from? Four years ago he had been written off many of the club's supporters and singled out for criticism by Roy Keane during his infamous dissection of a 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on MUTV in October, 2005.
The Scot, alongside Wayne Rooney, has emerged as perhaps United's most important player since the summer departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
He may not dominate the headlines like Rooney or Ronaldo, but United have lost just one of the last 47 games started by Fletcher – a 2-0 defeat at Fulham in March. Barcelona and Burnley both triumphed against United in Fletcher's absence.
As United prepare to face the German champions in their second group game this season, Fletcher is suddenly the man of the moment and he credits much of that to Keane, the man whose criticism could have broken him.
Fletcher said: "On the pitch and in the dressing room, Roy was always fantastic for me. He was constantly reiterating what it means to play for United, what it takes professionally.
"He always used to tell me, 'I get on your back because I want you to do well. If I ignore you, that's when you should be worried'. It is something that has always stuck with me.
"He was constantly there and I learned so much from him. The player I am now, and the way I am off the pitch, my professional levels, has all come from that.
"The biggest thing was the infamous MUTV video, which was really a kick up the backside for everyone. Anything Roy ever said, it was always done to fire you up. He was never going to tiptoe around people or put an arm around your shoulder.
"He used to make comments around the training ground and maybe get a bit annoyed at me because I snapped around at his ankles, but if he did have a go at me, I thought 'right, I'm going to prove you wrong'. That's the reaction he wanted."
Two days after Keane's interview, Fletcher reached his nadir when he was booed off the pitch as United slumped to defeat against Lille in Paris.
"It wasn't easy, but it was character-building stuff," he admits. "I could have gone away and hid and played within myself, but that's not me.
"Don't get me wrong because, at times, it wasn't easy going on to the pitch and being singled out, but you have to learn from it."
When he sat in the main stand of the Olympic Stadium last May, Fletcher was the one player United arguably needed most of all.
Without him, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi went unshackled as Barca dethroned United with an all-too comfortable 2-0 victory, but Fletcher insists he is more than the 'destroyer' many have labelled him as since Rome.
"I don't want to be pigeonholed as a destroyer," Fletcher said. "The whole idea is to become an all-round midfielder, who can pass the ball, score goals and get the team going.
"I can be a destroyer when we don't have the ball and set a high tempo and be the trigger. When we don't have possession, I'm thinking, 'right, I'm going to be the first one to press and win it back'."
Fletcher's ability to press and harass opponents was best displayed in United's 2-1 victory against Arsenal last month when his second-half performance helped force Arsène Wenger's team into submission.
The tenacity of Fletcher and Michael Carrick prompted Wenger to criticise United's 'anti-football', but Fletcher regards Wenger's comments as a compliment.
He said: "Wenger still hasn't mentioned me by name, he just says 'that player at United'.
"It doesn't bother me one bit, though. I don't know whether he was trying to get referees to pick up on me, but I have always seen myself as a fair player. I'm not dirty. I go to win the ball, but that is part of the game.
"Tackling is part of the game and British football fans love to see that. Winning the ball back and quick transitions are a big part of the game. Maybe you could say that it was a compliment in some respects."
When Wolfsburg visit on Wednesday, they will encounter a United team still finding its feet without Ronaldo.
Replacing Ronaldo, Ferguson has already conceded, is an impossible task, but Fletcher insists that United must move on and prosper without the Portuguese forward.
He said: "The manager has pointed out that Ronaldo has gone and that is a huge goal difference that we need to fill. As players, we all have to rise to the challenge.
"Ronaldo was good for us, but a lot of players sacrificed themselves for Cristiano too. In a lot of games, I'd be asked to play in central midfield but, whenever he went forward, I'd have to get out to the right to cover him.
"Maybe, now we have got back to 4-4-2, where everybody drops back as a four, it gives the midfielders more opportunity to bomb forward.
"I'd like to think I can get double figures this season because, in this team, you are always likely to get chances if you can get into the box."
Dsk adds...A superb read on Darren Fletcher and what he has gone through. In is early days, when Ronaldo and Rooney where considered to be the future of Manchester United, Sir Alex was adamant about the talent this Scot had. I have heard stories that Fergie wanted to play Fletcher in a match but could not due to FA regulations which did not allow schoolboys to play in the Premier League. Almost 8 years later, all of us who questioned the Scotish captain are being proved wrong. The Gaffer knows best.
September 29, 2009
tête-à-tête with Darren Fletcher
July 14, 2009
What ahead for M.U.F.C.?
Up till yesterday, Manchester United was in the gossip columns of each and every British tabloid. First, the murmurs and then the actual sale of the best player in the world at present Cristiano Ronaldo, then, Carlos Tevez’s refusal to sign a permanent deal and his subsequent move to rivals Manchester City and finally, signing of the talented Ecudorian Antonio Valencia, the once talented and now crippled Michael Owen and the unheard Gabriel Obertan. Probably every superstar in the game was linked with a move to the club at over inflated prices, considering the fact that United have the 80 million in their wallet after the sale of the main player. But, yet again Fergie has the laugh as he brings all predictions to a farce and announced to the media last night that he won’t be signing any more this summer.
The United faithful have been divided in their opinion as to whether the gaffer is right or wrong with this one.
What does Dsk feel?
First and foremost, two players whose back I had wanted to see have left he club. Ronaldo was a great goal scorer. In fact a goal poacher. He never played in the right hand side of midfield, was overly selfish and considered himself bigger than Man Utd. Sorry, got to disagree with that. Yes, he did score 80 odd goals in two seasons, but how many did he waste? And worse, his lack of discipline always forced creative players like Rooney and Carrick going the dirty work of protecting the defense. As for Tevez, he ran around like a headless chicken, showed the strength of a bull and the stamina of a Duracell. I don’t think he has the creativity, talent, speed or that extra gear to fit the 25million price tag.
About the new arrivals, Valencia is a classic winger, he is no Ronaldo, but is pacy, can beat his man and can put in a nice and early cross. Owen was at a time the deadliest strikers the world had seen. He was quick and was deadly with his finishing. Continuous injuries in the last four years have meant he has lost the former, but a finisher is born, not developed. Ask a certain Ole. It is interesting to note that Rooney’s best numbers for England is when he partners Owen. Maybe that is a good omen.
Obertan is an unheard entity. Fergie has had various successes in bring such players. From the butter fingered Taibi and the uncreative Bellion who were mostly useless to Solskjaer and Vidic who were mostly unheard before but took the game by storm. How will they fare is to be seen in the coming months.
How will they shape up?
As for the shape of the team, United were woeful last season. They tried everything from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 and then stuff like 4-1-2-1. There was not much of a rhythm and flow to their play. I feel the team will go back to the 4-4-2 formation. There is a big resemble in the line up as well as the situation at the club to the one it was in 3 years ago when United sold their prime goal scorer Nistelrooy (also to Real Madrid) and the entire footballing media scrutinizing the lack of signings. ESPN-Star predicted Untied to finish 4th in the league. Sky had gone one worse at 5th. They won the title playing some of the best football I have seen, that too with the 4-4-2.
Rooney would most provably be brought to his preferred position behind the striker. Berbatov should lead the line, something which he rarely did last season. Why should he, Ronaldo was there. Owen should be the impact player from the bench with Macheda and Welback being the other striking options. Both have talent in abundance and would love to see them rise through the ranks.
Valencia should play on the right wing; Nani on the left. He needs to impress this season. He has the talent but lacks the end product. I would have loved to seen Ashley Young come in though. Park and Obertan should be the options on the bench.
Carrick and Fletcher would be the best options to pull the strings in midfield with Anderson being another option. Once Hargreaves is fit, he too will fit into the scheme of things. The legends Giggs and Scholes would pull up their socks when ever they are called into action.
Defense will be the tried and tested Evra-Vidic-Ferdinand-Brown. Wes Brown had missed most of last season with injury and would be good to have him back. O’shea, Evans and Neville can help when called into action with the Da Silva twins also to assist who always impress.
Van der Sar is the man between the sticks with Foster deputizing and looking to take over the #1 jersey.
And at the helm, the one, the only, Alex Ferguson.
Prediction for the season –
Will be a close run for the money if all the main players remain fit. I believe it will be more of a team effort next season than few individuals standing out. A good preseason is on the cards. That is when United are always venomous.
Glory, glory, Man Utd.
January 15, 2009
Archives: Man Utd 4 Real Madrid 3
UEFA Champions League 2002-03
Quarter Final 2nd Leg
1st Leg Real Madrid 3 – Man Utd 1
This match between two of the giants in the game is regarded as one of the greatest matches in the history of the Champions League, if not the history of football. Real Madrid had defeated Manchester United three goals to one in the 1st leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid courtesy goals from Luis Figo and Raul.
United had a ray of hope thanks to a precious away goal scored by Ruud van Nistelrooy. The 2nd leg was poised to produce a great game. But the one that had been played out was beyond even the wildest thoughts. A match in which goals were raining. But more over the sheer quality of football left the spectators spell bound.
The teams started as follows
Man Utd: Barthez, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Veron, Butt, Keane, van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Solskjaer.
Subs: Ricardo, Phil Neville, Blanc, Beckham, Forlan, Fortune, Fletcher.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Carlos, Zidane, McManaman, Figo, Makelele, Ronaldo, Guti.
Subs: Cesar, Morientes, Flavio, Portillo, Cambiasso, Solari, Pavon.
The match was officiated by Pierluigi Collina from Italy, probably the most famous name in the team of referees. The best official was appointed to officiate the match between the best of teams.
Paul Scholes and Gary Neville were suspended. David Beckham surprisingly started on the bench after Roberto Carlos had an upper hand over him in the 1st leg.
Once the match started, it was United trying to press from the outset. Madrid caught them on the break and Ronaldo shrugged off Ferdinand and shot from outside the box to beat Barthez in his near his post. 1-0 after just 12minutes.
It was all pressure from United afterwards, desperate for a goal. They equalized through Nistelrooy just before halftime after Solskjaer drove a low cross after beating Casillas. 1-1 at half time.
Soon after the restart, Carlos drove past the United defense which had switched off looking to for an offside trap. They failed to do so and his cross was tapped in by Ronaldo, who strode into the box unmarked (50th minute). Immediately, United scored when Veron’s low drive into the box ricochet off Helguera into his own net (52nd minute). Madrid’s next attack into the United box was Ronaldo with the ball and Brown backing off a little too far. The ball was curled in from almost 25 metres. He got his hat trick. Madrid was leading 3-2 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate at the hour mark.
But as Clyde Tilsley once famously said, “Can United Score? They always score….”
David Beckham appeared for Veron. Within minutes, United won a free kick outside the Madrid box. Becks lined up to take it. He bent it over the wall and beyond the post, past the helpless Casillas who did not move an inch. No one can Bend it like Beckham. 3-3 as the clock pointed at 71 minutes.
With just minutes on the clock, Nistelrooy ran past the Madrid defense and shot at goal. The ball went off Hiero’s boot and rolled into the goal. Beckham didn’t leave anything to chance and his lunge landed on the ball and into the goal it went. 4-3 at the 85th minute. The last five minutes was all out attack from United who looked like a team possessed to get the two more goals they required. Madrid defended stoutly.
And when the final whistle came from Collina, United won the battle 4-3. Madrid won the war 6-5. The Red Devils put in a second half performance which had determination and will power written all over it. A desire to win against all odds. They had made yet another comeback. But they were piped at the post. The Galacticos proved their might. They achieved what they had come for, a place in the semi-finals. And Ronaldo proved to the world, why he was the deadly finished in the world. He was at a level his contemporaries would never reach.
The standing ovation which greeted these men was the fitting reward for the performance they had show-cased. It was a match which the world would discuss in the years to come. It was the ultimate battle. Both the teams have never met since. The world looks on for their next battle.
And as for the author, he was an occasional football viewer before this day. Since then, he has been converted into a die hard football fan, a follower of the English Premier League and the Champions League and a supporter of the Red Devils.
January 13, 2009
Why can't England play?
Football is to England is same as Cricket is to India. There is a strange relationship between these two sports in the respective countries. The particular boards are coffer fillers, the sport is a passion for the fans and the sport stars are idolized. But have all of these been justified by performances on the pitch when it has mattered by either of them.
England can boast of the best league in the world. And one can rightly say, almost all of the clubs in the league do have their share of good English players. But why has the national team not made it at the international level? They have had one world cup win in 1966 on their home turf. No runner-up finishes. No Euro Cup wins. And in the last 16 years, when the EPL has produced arguably the best domestic football in the world, the performances by the Three Lions have only deteriorated.
The Barclays Premier League is the English professional league for football clubs. It has become the world's most watched sporting league. It is the world's most lucrative football league, with combined club revenues of around £1.4 billion in 2005–06, which are expected to rise to around £1.8 billion for 2007–08 due to media revenues. It is also ranked first in the UEFA rankings of leagues based on performances in European competitions over the last five-years, ahead of Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A (from wiki)
Let me analyze the performance by the English national team in the last 20 years (only major tournaments considered)
In the 1990 World Cup in Italy, England finished 4th. The Bobby Robson managed Three Lions promised much, but lost to Franz Beckhanbuer’s West Germany in an unlucky shoot-out.
Euro 92 was disastrous. Two draws and one loss, elimination was faced in the group stages. Further they did not make it to World Cup 1994 in the USA.
Terry Venables led England made a come back on home soil in Euro 96. They qualified as group toppers, including a thumping to the Dutch side. Spain were eliminated by them in the quarter finals via penalty shoot out, the only instance in which England have won a match through the lottery kicks. But, the same would end their fortune in the semi finals as Southgate missed the sudden dead kick against Germany. Yet another disappointment and the dreams of a repeat on home turf as in 1966 came to a sad halt.
England under Glenn Hoodle brought new hopes at France 98. They finished second in the group in spite of a loss to Romania in the groups stages. But Argentina plotted their demise in the Round of 16 through the spot kicks, in a match infamous for its ill temper and David Beckham getting sent off.
In Euro 2000, the Three Lions were eliminated in the Group stage. They were seconds away from qualification in their final group match against Romania, but Phil Neville’s clumsy tackle gave a 89th minute penalty, which was converted to the disappointed of the fans.
Group stage of World Cup 2002 saw the English scrapping through the Group of death along with Sweden, which saw Argentina and Nigeria (in the same Group) not making it. They thumped Denmark in the next round. But Brazil ended the dream in the quarterfinals thanks to the famous swirling free kick courtesy Ronaldinho.
Sven Goran Eriksson’s men went into Euro 2004 as one of the favorites. The tournament in fact saw one of England’s better performances, but negative tactics in the fag end of the match against Portugal in the quarterfinals saw they hand the initiative to the opponents who equalized late on. They went on to lose the match yet again in a shootout.
World Cup 2006 was poor in all senses for England. The personal was different in each match and tactics very poor with set-pieces being the only source for goals. England managed to reach yet another quarter final under Eriksson, where once againa Portugal arrived and knocked them out, unsurprisingly via the spot kicks.
A new manager came in Steve McClaren. His horror show as manager saw England not making it to Euro 2008 in what was deemed as the worst performance by the national side. Needing just a draw in the last qualifying match at home against Croatia at home, they conceded very late in the match thanks to a howler from debutant keeper Scott Carson(What a match to hand in a debut!!). McClaren was sacked, Capello came and the England and the rest of the world now look on as to where this is headed to.
Analysis will be made based on the performance of the team in the last 10 years, the period during which I have been following English football.
The England team set up consists of players who are idolized and are given demi-god status. The team needs to be controlled by a manager, who credentials are greater than that of the players, the only solution to the player having a respect. The tactical expertise if so required may be given by the supporting staff. (Steve McClaren……………. Rest is understood.)
Instead of getting all the stars to appear on the pitch, the best possible formation and tactics should be applied to fit in most of the best players, instead of trying to fit in all of them and the team failing to even keep the ball. (The diamond formation and playing Scholes on the left wing during Euro 2004 The merry-go-round with the player changes. World cup 2006 and qualification for Euro 2008 when all possible formation like 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 4-3-3 ,4-3-2-1, 5-3-2, 3-4-3 etc were experimented. None worked. )
And finally, practice penalty shootouts before knockout fixtures. Losing again by the same will be a disgrace.
January 12, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo is Footballer of the Year !
Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was on Monday, awarded the Footballer of the Year, at a glittering ceremony held at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, attended by the Who is Who of world football. Ronaldo who had a great season with Manchester United, scoring 42 goals and winning the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup, beat Kaka, Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres and Xavi Hrnandez.
Brazil's Martha won the Womens Player of the Year, while the US Womens Football Team won the FIFA Presidential Award for their contributions to the Women's game. The Football federations of Turkey and Armenia together won the FIFA Fair Play Award.
