United blow as Fletcher takes ´extended break´

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher will take an extended break from football due to a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.

Scotland captain Fletcher, 27, did not play between March 6 and May 4 last season, and also missed United’s friendly tour of the United States in July and August.

Fletcher’s previous absences had been ascribed to an unspecified viral problem, but the club have now opted to reveal the exact nature of his condition.

“On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons,” the club said in a statement.

“Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality.”

“Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.”

“Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period, this has proved more difficult recently and Darren’s continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.”

“He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.”

“We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery.”

Fletcher has made 10 appearances for United and six for Scotland so far in 2011/12, scoring twice at club level and once for his country.