50 Facts About Darren Fletcher

Darren Barr Fletcher was born on 1 February 1984 and is a Scottish football coach and former professional player who is currently the technical director of Manchester United, where he spent the majority of his playing career.

Darren Fletcher mostly played as a central midfielder, but began his career as a right winger and featured occasionally in defence.

Darren Fletcher was named vice-captain in his last season with the club.

Darren Fletcher joined West Bromwich Albion in February 2015, where he made 97 appearances.

Darren Fletcher returned to Manchester United in a coaching capacity in October 2020, working with the club's under-16s players, before being appointed to the first team in January 2021.

Darren Fletcher made his full international debut for Scotland in 2003, and scored his first international goal on his second appearance.

The middle of Darren Fletcher's career was disrupted by an extended break from football due to health problems caused by ulcerative colitis.

In October 2020, Darren Fletcher returned to Manchester United to coach their under-16s players, and in January 2021, he was promoted to first-team coach.

Darren Fletcher was educated at St Luke's RC Primary School and St David's RC High School in Dalkeith.

Darren Fletcher is of Irish descent through his mother who hails from Achill Island.

Darren Fletcher played his youth football at Hutchison Vale, Tynecastle Boys Club and Celtic Boys Club before being scouted by Manchester United.

Darren Fletcher first joined the Manchester United youth setup at the age of 11, and then signed with the club when he was aged 15.

Darren Fletcher said in 2020 that he had almost signed for Newcastle United instead, as some people advised him it would be harder to break into the Manchester United first team.

Darren Fletcher was initially seen as a right midfielder, similar to David Beckham, and was tipped by many to break into the first-team with ease and stay there for many years to come.

Darren Fletcher was substituted for David Beckham after 73 minutes, but a second Champions League appearance followed against Deportivo de La Coruna a week later, and he was named as a substitute for both legs of the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid.

Darren Fletcher's winning goal ended Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

Darren Fletcher picked up a Champions League winner's medal but was an unused substitute in the final.

Darren Fletcher notched his second goal of the season opening the scoring from close range against Portsmouth, following a pass from Patrice Evra.

On 3 October 2008, Darren Fletcher signed a three-year extension to his contract with Man Utd, keeping him at the club until 2012.

Darren Fletcher won the Man of the Match award for his performance.

Darren Fletcher was sent off during the match against Birmingham City on 9 January 2010 after two bookable offences.

Darren Fletcher maintained his place in centre midfield in the following Premier League games against Stoke and Norwich City.

Darren Fletcher 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.

On 14 August 2012, Darren Fletcher came on as a second-half substitute, taking the captain's armband, for Manchester United against Aberdeen in Neil Simpson's testimonial.

On 17 January 2013, it was announced that Darren Fletcher had undergone surgery aimed at resolving his condition, which would rule him out for the remainder of the season.

The statement stressed that this was a "planned procedure undertaken at the optimal time" that required Darren Fletcher to be in good health to be carried out.

Darren Fletcher was named Manchester United vice-captain by Louis van Gaal in August 2014.

On 2 February 2015, Darren Fletcher signed for West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer.

Darren Fletcher made his debut on 8 February 2015 against Burnley, where he was given the captain's armband.

Between his debut for West Brom in February 2015 and the international break of October 2015, Darren Fletcher did not miss a minute of Premier League football, marking fully his comeback from several illness-disrupted seasons.

On 1 June 2017, Darren Fletcher signed a two-year contract with Stoke City, effective from the expiration of his West Bromwich Albion contract on 1 July.

Darren Fletcher became the eighth outfield player to achieve this mark in the Premier League era.

Darren Fletcher scored the only goal of the game against Bristol City on 27 October 2018.

Darren Fletcher said in November 2019 that he had not officially retired from playing, and did not yet feel ready to begin a career in management.

Darren Fletcher's goal took Scotland to the play-offs for UEFA Euro 2004.

Darren Fletcher was Scotland's vice-captain under Alex McLeish, deputising in the absence of regular captain Barry Ferguson.

Darren Fletcher was named as full-time captain in November 2009 when Ferguson was banned from international football for misbehaviour.

Darren Fletcher earned his 50th cap in September 2010, in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying match against Liechtenstein.

Darren Fletcher was recalled to the international squad for a friendly against Poland in March 2014.

Darren Fletcher resumed the captaincy in September 2016, after Brown had temporarily retired from international football.

In November 2019, Darren Fletcher said he aspired to a future in management.

In October 2020, Darren Fletcher returned to Manchester United to coach their under-16s players, and in January 2021, he was promoted to first-team coach.

Darren Fletcher usually played as central midfielder in a box-to-box role, where he stood out for his physicality, tenacity, intelligence, and work-rate, as well as his energy and defensive ability, namely his tackling and marking.

Darren Fletcher was capable of playing anywhere in midfield and played as a right winger, in a holding role, and on occasion in defence; at international level, he played in a more attacking role, due to his ability to get forward, which earned him comparisons with Steven Gerrard.

Darren Fletcher is the father of twin boys, Jack and Tyler was born on 2007 and with his wife, Hayley Grice.

Darren Fletcher was one of many footballers in the Manchester and Liverpool area whose homes were burgled while playing away games; burglars raided his house in February 2009 and held Grice at knifepoint.

The incident occurred while Darren Fletcher was in Milan for Manchester United's Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.

Darren Fletcher's father was caught speeding in Darren Fletcher's Range Rover on the M6 motorway in Cumbria on 27 November 2008.

Darren Fletcher is involved in a programme to encourage "Deaf Friendly Football" for youngsters.

In 2014 Darren Fletcher became an ambassador for the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK after recovering from surgery for ulcerative colitis.