Darren Fletcher

A tenacious midfielder for Manchester United and current captain of the Scotland national team.

Something of a late developer, he was often used on the right wing early in his career and struggled to impress, but in recent years he has won round sceptical United fans with some stellar displays in the centre of midfield, combining terrific work rate and energy with constructive and intelligent passing, often saving his very best performances for the biggest of occasions.

A graduate of the Red Devils’ academy, Darren was highly thought of as a teenager but saw his progress hampered by a broken leg. The Scot eventually broke through as a 19-year-old but competition for central midfield places was intense and he suffered from being played out of position.

It is only in the last couple of years that Darren has really come to the fore as one of the team’s best central midfielders, and the difference a long run in the side has made to his level of play and supporters’ perceptions of him has been remarkable, his absence from the team for much of the last 18 months due to illness being keenly felt by all connected to the club. Darren has won 58 caps for Scotland and was appointed captain in August 2009.