Never back down: The Darren Fletcher experience

There are key moments, which often define a footballer’s career.

Zidane’s volley against Leverkusen, Aguero’s injury time league winner, Cantona’s audacious chip and Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick. These moments come to the biggest of players at the biggest of occasions. They prove the difference between a good player, and a player at their peak. Darren Fletcher however, never reached such a poetic crescendo. Instead, he was diagnosed with a condition that could’ve ended his life, let alone his career. Yet, like he had done time again, Fletcher fought the good fight. Though he might not have won, Fletcher’s career stands as the shining example of the indomitable spirit. A rare representation of true grit, in a world ruled by technical mastery.

Despite a rapid rise through the youth ranks of United, Darren Fletcher’s start was marred by injuries. Despite his undeniable talent, he flattered to deceive. Some parties believed that Fletcher’s selection was down to him being the only Scot in Sir Alex’s team. However, he slowly began winning everyone over. The Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award, stood as a first of many testaments of the Scot’s ability

This proved another struggle, as he often played second fiddle to the likes of Beckham and Keane. While other’s would’ve moved on to easier pastures, the competition only served to strengthen his resolve. His key performances leading up to United’s 2004 F.A Cup win, proved his utility as a squad player. He took every starting opportunity before him and began to establish himself.

With the departures of Keane and Beckham, Fletcher was pipped to be the cog in United’s midfield. However, Ferguson preferred the quartet of Hargreaves, Ronaldo, Nani and Scholes in midfield, pushing Fletcher further down the pecking order. When push inevitably came to shove, Fletcher solidified himself in the team once again. With the injury to Hargreaves, Fletcher added dynamism to the duo of Scholes and Carrick, and served as Untied’s power house midfielder, all through the 2008-09 Champions League campaign. A highly controversial yellow card ruled him out of the final, leading Barcelona’s to dismantle United at Rome. The game served to starkly highlight Fletcher’s irreplaceability. Jose Mourinho had famously commented before the final,

“Fletcher is more important than people think. His work in midfield, especially in the midfield ‘wars’, in crucial matches is very important. Man United will miss his pace and aggression in defensive actions: he ‘eats’ opponents in defensive transition. I believe Xavi and Andres Iniesta are happy Fletch is not playing.”

Wether or not Fletcher could’ve saved United against the best Barcelona generation since Cruyff, is debatable. However he would’ve given United something he always has- The Ability to fight.

Having being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis before the final, Fletcher realised that he would’ve have to spend time on the sidelines. However, two whole years were longer than anyone expected. His departure from United didn’t leave them crippled, but it took away industry and belief, which they are yet to replicate. The likes of Anderson and Cleverley flattered to deceive, leaving the once feared United midfield, the weakest limb of their side. What was perhaps more painful than watching United’s midfield, was Fletcher’s own personal battle.

In a recent interview, Fletcher revealed what he had been going through. Before, fans found it hard to understand the rare ailment that inflicted him. After his reveal however, many were left feeling sick to their own stomach, after realising the agonies he had to endure.

The physical strain however was only part of it. The mental anguish he underwent was nothing short of traumatic. The sheer inability to do anything with his children, left Fletcher in a state of withdrawal few would comprehend. In the world of modern football, the most common mental issues we seem to find are when a striker goes through a dry spell, or when a team go on a losing run. What Fletcher had to undergo was slowly making him lose the will to live. He often had to come to terms with his own mortality, He once said,

‘But then that day arrives, when you realise that life is just non-existent, you are almost begging them to take you. You go from putting off surgery and being petrified of it to this sense of desperation; you’re that low, you’re like “take me now”.’

Apart from the scores of United fans, supporting all the way, Fletcher also had a very close aid. The biggest man at Old Trafford, Sir Alex, was personal source of comfort in Fletcher’s most painful moments. He dealt with the injury the utmost respect and privacy. Fletcher would often wonder what part he had to play in United’s future. Ferguson understood Feltcher’s struggle, yet believed more than anyone (even Fletcher himself) that he was going to fight it off, much like he had done everything in his life.

Early this season, Fletcher began to re-emerge. However six years of battling with an illness that seriously undermined his ability to make the most of the considerable talent he possesses. He showed pangs of his old ability against Real Madrid, in a preseason game, yet it only served as a simmer of greatness amongst moments of mediocrity.

Darren Fletcher will never be etched into the echleons of United’s history, yet he is a player who deserves every ounce of respect one can give. United’s own midfield virtuoso, Paul Scholes spoke at length about his unmatched moral character.

No one would have blamed him if he had decided to call it a day. He took a while to make up his mind over whether to have the operation on his large intestine, which was a success and put him on the road to a comeback two years ago.
Fletch’s experience with ulcerative colitis was horrendous. The closest I got to a career-ending condition was a dispersed blood clot on my eye that clouded my vision.

In an age where United’s youth are slowly rising to the challenges of the first team, their hopes and ambition are driven by the successes of The Class of ’92. The example of Fletcher should be one they draw inspiration from in their moments of truest self doubt.

In many ways he embodied the true values that formed the very fabric of the club. He wasn’t always the hero United wanted, but he was definitely the one they needed, and more importantly, deserved.

photo credits: Getty images, Barclays photo stream

3-5-Too soon? Decoding the cryptic truth of van gaal’s code

” Four four insert obscenity of choice two!!”

It’s not often to see United fans scream in frustration. For long spells last season, the absence of tactic proved the bane of United’s existence. David Moyes’ tenure had been riddled with disappointment, un fulfillment and widespread mediocrity. With the arrival of Louis van Gaal, the United faithful finally saw a manager worthy of their pedigree. It becomes all the more ironic, when the same fans yell at that manager to make a tactical switch.

Admittedly, the first 60 minutes that United played against QPR, were nothing short of sheer agony. Despite having 70% possession, a near full-strength squad and the talent of Di Maria, Falcao and Rooney, United looked as predictable and archaic as ever. Though the formation has seen United rough some particularly rough spells, it’s something United as a club aren’t prepared for, and are unlikely to be.

Fans are desperate for the Dutchman to ditch his preferred 3-5-2, and former United full back Gary Neville, agrees;

They haven’t been taking risks in the 3-5-2 system […] I’m not a fan of 3-5-2. When you play that, you end up with your centre backs being the free men and that becomes a careful option, then it kicks into your mentality: ‘I’ve always got a safer pass.

Not one to leave his tactics questioned, van Gaal responded

I know in advance when we play with four midfielders in a diamond that we create more chances. But then the balance of the team is also weak. And you see it because we have created chances but also Queens Park Rangers have, and we have to decide every week how to play. That’s the question.

Despite the merit of some of his explanations, the United faithful are grown increasingly impatient. The potential that their attack possesses, has onlbehWeneenen in passing glances. When it has been on display, United look dangerous.

In what has often been the case, reverting back to the 3-5-2 system, stifles everything United have stood for. It hasn’t won them more games, it hasn’t brought more admiration, it hasn’t made them world class, but it has brought something far more fundamental, stability. 

To really analyse the madness behind the Dutchman’s method, it’s imperative to analyse base facts.

United have let go of eight first-teamers, and brought in six. Six, from five different leagues, six different teams, and six different playing styles. Added to this, is the fact that only one of six new players has started 4 consecutive games. A gaping 42 injuries have plagued every inch of United’s defence, midfield and attack. The result? Louis van Gaal’s hands are very tied. The reality? He’s managed his team within an inch of the top three; a sore sight for the eyes that witnessed United’s previous campaign.

So why does he keep coming back to it in light of seemingly viable alternatives?
Stubbornness has been suggested, something befitting his demeanour. He knows it hampers United in attack, and what could be more stubborn than a manager deliberately sabotaging his own team’s attacking prospects? What, in fact, could be more, as he puts it, schtupid?

One answer is defensive solidarity.
With those of you gaping bewilderment, the 3-5-2 has had United conceding far fewer goal While the idea that United is defensively solid, is a ludicrous assessment, the players at his disposal are both horrendously injury prone, visibly inexperienced, and one of them happens to be Tyler Blackett. Despite being painfully tragic to watch, United still boast the third best defence in he league. One of the pills, not so bitter to swallow.

A better goal difference Man City’s however, is down to the continued heroics of David De Gea. Time and time again, he’s saved United’s skin, from nearly un-winnable positions. On one hand, it shows his prowess as one of the world’s best shot stoppers. On the other, it shows that he is a world class player, playing in his proper position, something that the 3-5-2 wholly lacks.

Despite having Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao in their ranks, the   3-5-2 has them unfairly shackled. The sight of seeing Wayne Rooney overrun in, shows the gaping shortcomings of the system. Against Yeovil, Southampton, and QPR, Wayne Rooney looked like an amateur, unable to provide any mobility with the ball. The man in his position, Di Maria faced a similar misplacement. Having rummaged through European defences as a central midfielder, it’s a waste having him isolated, with his back towards goal.

Wether or not van Gaal will eventually switch the two, is yet to be seen. The reality however, is that were likely to see more of the same.

A key issue of van Gaal’s current setup, is his use, or lack thereof, of wide players. Having been largely credit with renaissance of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, he has limited his real full backs to the periphery. Though Ashley Young and Valencia have risen to their roles as full backs, Rafael and Shaw don not seem at all comfortable. Luke Shaw, one of the premier league’s brightest talents, showed United his raw ability when deployed as a left back. With no in front, or behind him, he doesn’t seem to handle the responsibilities of marshalling the entire flank. The same can be said about his right sided counterpart, who often finds himself lost and horrendously over-exposed.

Over and above every shortcoming, is that the system is simply not The United Way. What constitutes that however, is a matter of much debate. The classic 4-4-2 the fans have so vocally demanded, is a hybrid of what United were famed for.

It would be great if Van Gaal felt able to play with four at the back, with flying wingers, with United pouring forward in wave after red wave of giddy attacking fervour; if he thought United could go out and batter games into submission before killing them off. But it seems that he doesn’t, however much we (and perhaps he) might like him to. And he does have evidence as to why that might be a bad idea: the one thing that must absolutely not be allowed to happen again this season is a repeat of that Leicester game, where United lined up with four at the back, scored three, generally played well, and then melted into the grass while Jamie Vardy, yes, Jamie Vardy — ran riot.

A freak result, perhaps. But you can understand why Van Gaal isn’t willing to risk his first season on that fact, and is happy to embrace sterile domination and muck his team up instead. Things might have been different had the right defender been available over the summer, but that’s speculation, and for all that United spent an absolute fortune, nobody is pretending that their squad is entirely satisfactory. As things stand he is currently on course to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League, which is what he was brought in to do.

In light of his credit card bill-like injury list, van Gaal has been forced into uncomfortable situations, with alarming regularity.

Van Gaal however, continues to elude the public to what exactly his ‘philosophy’ is. It’s likely not his aggressive system of total football, that made the likes of Ajax and Bayern. It’s not however a go-to defensive failsafe. It’s somewhere perplexingly in between. The intricacies of it, are locked deep within the walls of van Gaal’s intellect, and are likely to be for the near future. One truth does lie, that van Gaal will not show patience in the face of mediocrity. If United’s current crop do not adjust, or wisen up tactically, they will be deemed surplus to requirement. Van Gaal is one of the few managers left today, who’ll sideline even the best players in the world, if they aren’t up to his proverbial scratch. Just ask Luca Toni

The challenges of the Premier League will always prove daunting, to those unfamiliar with it. In Louis Van Gaal however, United have a manager who is of the highest pedigree. With a dogged sense of self belief and blunt honesty, incapsulated in statements such as;

“4-4-2 makes my ass twitch”

van Gaal is continually proving he will not be swayed by public opinion.

United often labour in Louis van Gaal’s current preferred formation: you know that, and so does he. The difference is that he doesn’t care.