Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson were introduced to the 2007 champions' engine room leaving the 24-year-old home-produced product on the fringe. A knee injury playing for Scotland in France last September didn't help his cause.
He didn't start for United until late October when he was in Sir Alex Ferguson's XI in the Champions League group match against Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine. And he didn't start in the Premier League until Boxing Day.
His goal contribution amounted to just one all campaign against Arsenal in the 4-0 Old Trafford FA Cup win.
In terms of senior starts in all competitions his stat of 11 was his worst in any of his five campaigns in the first team.
His debut term in 2003-04 yielded 26 matches as a starter in Fergie's line-ups.
The downward trend in his appearance graph prompted numerous other clubs to come sniffing around with Birmingham City prominent in the January transfer window and Everton the keenest this summer.
But Fletcher remains and his two goals against Newcastle and Portsmouth have put United's four league points on the board.
With Owen Hargreaves out with tendonitis problems, Nani suspended and Anderson out at the Olympics for the first game of the season Fletcher has stolen a march on the players who nudged him down the pecking order last year.
Outstanding
The Scottish international may not have won many votes from the critics or Old Trafford fans alike as one of the Reds most valuable players but Rio Ferdinand hails United's new goalscoring hero as a dressing room hit.
"Fletch was outstanding in pre-season and he has carried it on into the season," United's current captain said.
"Darren is a fantastic footballer. You can tell by the interest in him from other teams. There have been a number of clubs keen on him.
"He is a player's player. He has great capabilities in terms of when he is on the ball and his passing. He makes the right runs and the right decisions on the ball. His work rate is phenomenal
"He does what the manager asks and that is why he is such a fantastic player to have in the squad. He asks him to do different jobs and he just goes out and does them.
"He is someone the players appreciate more than maybe some other people do. We are happy to have him in the squad."
United faced the prospect of being five points behind both Liverpool and Chelsea had they lost at Portsmouth. With no Premier League game for the titleholders due to the Super Cup match in Monaco this Friday against Zenit St Petersburg the division's top two could have been EIGHT in front by next Monday.
United then would have had to go to Anfield and Stamford Bridge for their next two matches facing a mountain.
"Mentally it could have been a downer," said Rio.
"We had to keep that gap to a minimum. It was imperative we won at Portsmouth. The manager said we had to win at all costs. We did a professional job.
"A lot of people looking on would have thought we might be dropping more points there but to walk away with three points was vital."
Who is better when each is in top form - Fletcher or Hargreaves? Have your say. Tweet
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Hargreaves. Fletcher is a good squad player and in great form at the minute but Hargreaves on top form there arnt many players better in the world at what he does- hustling opposition, covering the whole pitch or anchoring the midfield, his non stop energy when played on the right, quality crossing(roma home) and his FreeKicks give us an alternative to Ronaldo and confuses goal keepers when they are both stood over a dead ball situation
He scored 2 against Arsenal..just sayin
Wtf I just read the dumb question at the end..Is that a serious question? Don't get me wrong I like Fletch(similar to me) but Hargo is WAY better when on top form
Hargreaves. Simple really.
The question is divisive and unnecessary. We have both Fletcher and Hargreaves, why do we have to choose? Isn't it better to leave the decisions on who plays in a particular match to those with all of the information and who see the players on a daily basis?
The question detracts from a decent story about Fletcher. He'll play a decent number of matches if he stays fit, as will Hargreaves. That's what a squad's for.
The coaches and players appreciate DF, it's just some fans that don't. A diminishing number of fans mind you.
We've yet to see the best of either Hargo or Fletch.
United fans can see how he has improved so they are no longer on his back,however the likes of BROWN and O,shea will never improve and are just not good enough.
Why is Neville still around when he has two wonder kids.
Hargreaves is way better than Fletcher but he is a team player and a good standby if needed !
Agree with T&C. Mind you, there always seems to be a pointless little question at the end of articles as though without them people wouldn't post.
Glad to see there are more positive than negative posts re Fletcher these days (if I haven't spoken too soon!).
Danny wimslow. i cant believe that you are still criticizing Brown. Most improved player from last season. have u forgoton his displays against Barca home and away where was absolutely amazing. some people can never be pleased...
as for O Shea leave the lad alone. He is not a midfielder but played in there as we needed a body. Even if he does half decent job, which he does, then he is good enough for me.
Eric7;bang on Hargreaves is a top player.Better than anyone in the current England midfield.
in the article rio quotes the interest from tops clubs. have i missed something or have the arse the ruskis or liverpool been falling overthemselves to buy him? how come ac inter juve lyon barca real bayern have not tried to lever him out for a snippet. remember the caledonian kid could have been bought for peanuts as his current contact expires at the end of this season.
bobbyd, he's about to be offered a new and improved long-term deal.
another new kit!
Fletcher and Hargreaves both great for the squad, but Danny you have no clue about football!!!
Wes Brown was easily the best Englisg RB last season and was probably the best in the PL.
Was definetly one of our most consisitent performers and is rightly putting Gary Neville undr pressure to get his place back.
As for Gary, he was MR consistent and we had a terrific season in the last full season he has played.
If SAF feels he can get back to that level, then I'm all for giving our captain and legendary RB, the chance to show his career is not over.
Fletcher and Hargreaves both great for the squad, but Danny you have no clue about football!!!
Wes Brown was easily the best Englisg RB last season and was probably the best in the PL.
Was definetly one of our most consisitent performers and is rightly putting Gary Neville undr pressure to get his place back.
As for Gary, he was MR consistent and we had a terrific season in the last full season he has played.
If SAF feels he can get back to that level, then I'm all for giving our captain and legendary RB, the chance to show his career is not over.
Let's be honest, Fletcher wouldn't be in the team if Hargreaves and Ronaldo were fit. He's done OK for us - plenty of energy and seems to have worked on arriving late into the box (with positive results). Once we have a full complement again, he'll be warming the bench. Like Phil Neville, he'll need to move on if he wants to play regularly
Definitely a very naughty question to ask! Fletch is indespensable at the moment because of injuries but a fully fit OH would be Fergies first choice IMHO, and that's got nothing to do with my dislike of DF, its common sense.
Alias quite correct but the fact is he had less than a year left on his contract. none of the big hitters in uk or europe have shown ANY interest in him. this despite that fact he only had a short time remaining on his contract and would have been available at a knockdown price. now i wonder y could it be that they just dont rate him?
Fletcher has had a lot of outstanding games for United. The 2004 FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal's Invincibles; the 7-1 demolition of Roma; the 1-0 win that ended Chelsea's long unbeaten run; and many more.
Hopefully his two goals this season will give him the confidence he needs to start taking control of matches like a great midfielder should. We have been waiting for him for a long time to get to that point. Hopefully now he has the experience and maturity to start dominating and fulfill his earlier promise.
Fletcher is a Red and we love him.
bobbyd, why are you continuing to put down a player that's performed so well for us in the last 2 games?
bobbydazzler, and how exactly do you know who has enquired about Fletcher? Are you his agent? If so, I don't think you are doing a very good job! You are underselling your client!
Made me laugh when SAF called him Darren FERGUSON post Pompey match interview. We've all long suspected him to be his favourite.
In any other team Darren would be a starter every week. He's so industrious
and at 24 still maturing.
About time he's shown some
appreciation by some of the
those posting comments here.
True United fans and those
inside football have never doubted his obvious athletic and technical skills.
Up the Reds,
danny, WILMSLOW
Sorry buddy but you obviously
don't know football. Wes Brown last season reminded me
of an Italian defender, sticking to his task with total diligence. Wes now the
best R fullback in the Prem.
As for John O'Shea, you have
no right to critisize one of
our best utility men. And
while smiling won't win trophys, John goes about his
business with a smile whether
on the bench or field. That's
what I call a team player
and vital part of our squad!!
Up the Reds,