FLETCHER HOPING FOR A SECOND CAREER

The midfielder made his first
appearance for Manchester United since Boxing Day last year when he came on as a substitute in Sunday's 3-0 win against Aston Villa. His problems with bowel condition ulcerative colitis date back to March 2011 and the Scotland international had
undergone surgery before finally
returning to first-team football.He told MUTV:
"I'm back for good. This is hopefully the game which means I'm back now. Hopefully there will be no setbacks with the health issues. I seem to have come through that, thank God. I'm thankful for that. It's onwards and upwards now."

Fletcher has only made 10 Premier
League starts in 27 months but was
adamant he was not ready to retire and believes he could have a second career. He added:
"Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to play football. I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play for Manchester United and wasn't going to give that up lightly. I battled through it, and I'm only
29 years old, I think I've got plenty
more years of playing left in me."
"That was reiterated to me by my
family, friends and the old manager [Sir Alex Ferguson]. I could have a career all over again if I get my health right, and
hopefully that's what I'm going to do."

Fletcher thanked ferguson for his support during the trying time saying:

"The manager was a massive influence. There have been so many people I could mention [who have supported me], but first and foremost are the people closest to home: my wife, kids, mum and dad.  Without them, I probably wouldn't have been able to come back."

"I always believed I would come back, I kept that mind-set, and I stayed strong and believed I would get back. I think that was the best way to approach the situation and I knew I was going to go through a lot,but the belief anD determination was to get back. Playing a game like that, and getting an ovation like that makes it all worthwhile."