Forgotten man: Darren Fletcher's absence has shaped Manchester United's rollercoaster season

When Darren Fletcher announced that he was taking an extended break from football to deal with the ulcerative colitis that has dogged him all season, United lost one of their most influential midfielders in the Scotland captain. Some may say it hasn’t affected the reigning champions becausethey are top of the league and are close to securing their 20th league title. All of that is true, but many United fans will admit that this squad is far from the strongest they have seen at Old Trafford, and before Paul Scholescame out of retirement there was real concern about the United midfield.