“An unsung hero is a person who makes a substantive yet unrecognized contribution; a person whose bravery is unknown or unacknowledged”
For large parts of his United career, Darren Fletcher was a squad player, a scapegoat for defeats and often, a target for verbal abuse from supporters. He was considered ‘not good enough to be a United player’. Today, one does not need to look any further than this gritty midfielder to know what the club is all about – passion, persistence, ability and attitude.
Time and again, Fletcher has defied his critics and saved his best performances for the big games – the games that mattered for United. The biggest example of this was his performance in October ’05, when Mourinho’s Chelsea visited Old Trafford on the back of a forty game unbeaten run. Fletcher had been heavily criticized by club captain Roy Keane before the game, and he responded in the best possible manner by putting in a heroic performance, and in the process scoring the winner as well.
Despite his heroics on that special night at Old Trafford, Fletcher found it hard to claim a regular place in the starting XI. He was used as a squad player by the manager, with most of his appearances being a replacement for rested or injured first choice team-mates. The flair players kept coming at Old Trafford, and the future for the hard working Fletcher was looking bleaker. The biggest disappointment for Fletcher came when he was dropped from the squad to face Chelsea in the Champions League Final. However, Fletcher did not lose hope, and was willing to fight his way up the pecking order.
Fletcher – Justifying his manager’s faith
The fight was made a little bit easier by the manager, who always realized the potential of his compatriot. In 2008, Fletcher was given a contract extension, keeping him at the club till 2012. The fans did not appreciate the manager’s decision at first, but Fletcher was quick to prove his critics wrong and justify the faith of Sir Alex. He notched up supreme performances right throughout the season, and was instrumental in taking United to their Eighteenth English League title and a second successive Champions League Final. However, Fletcher was yet again left disappointed, as a harsh red card in the second leg of the semi-final against Arsenal ruled him out from playing in the final against Barcelona. In his absence, the team from Old Trafford was outplayed in the final, as Xavi and Iniesta completely ran the show in Fletcher’s absence.
A harsh sending off deprived Fletcher of his chance
to appear in the UCL Final in Rome
United fans would now more so than ever realize the value of their prized asset. The hard work, though, did not stop from Fletcher, as the performances kept getting better in the following season. In the end he capped a successful campaign, being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time in his career. Some called him anti-football, none so more prominent than the self proclaimed professor of “Justice and Equality”. Yes Arsenal manager – Mr. Arsene Wenger would have you believe that Fletcher is a villain who knows nothing better but to kick, foul people around and stop the opposition from playing the game the “right way”. How Wenger secretly wishes he had someone with the same desire, grit, determination to succeed like Fletcher, someone to mix it up, somebody to stand up and be counted when the heat is really on. Yes, Fletcher is no villain far from it; Devils around the world affectionately call him “Darren Fletcher –Football genius”.
Today, the fans love him for his grit, his determination and his big match performances. His name on the team sheet not only provides a sense of security for United fans, but for the defenders in the team as well. Fletcher wears his heart on his sleeve, gives no less than 100% in every game and doesn’t hesitate to get stuck into the opposition teams. If he continues at Old Trafford for years to come, he will be welcomed into the list of ‘Old Trafford legends’.
Fletcher- marshalling the midfield
At 26, Fletcher is already the captain of Scotland and a senior member in the United dressing room. He is a role model for young and aspiring athletes around the world on how to maximize your talent. In the midst of top quality footballers with greater ability, Fletcher has stood the test of time and has become an indispensable part of Fergie’s team. He has earned the right to be a United ‘hero’, the hard way. Excessive ability doesn’t make a hero.
It’s the attitude that matters.
