Fletcher is set to soldier on through the campaign with painkillers, knowing that a summer ankle operation has been pencilled in.
The 25-year-old has had an injection to get him back in the side after missing the last five matches with the long-standing trouble and is likely to need more as the season wears on.
"I injured my ankle in the Sunderland game. A bit of bone has broken off the back of my ankle and has stuck," said Darren.
"So every time I bend it is causing a bit of pain. I have had an injection to clear it up for a while. Eventually it is going to need to be cleaned out. I have had it for a couple of years now and the build-up of whatever has been constantly aggravating it.
"There has been a build-up of fluid as well and other medical things that the doctors know more about!
"I will have to get something done but the injection will see me through a few months.
"It should be OK to the end of the season. That is the plan to get me through to the summer and then do something then.
Fletcher injury
"Striking a ball or bending the ankle in a flexed position or pushing off hurts.
"It got to the point where it was too sore to train and play so something had to be done and I had the injection.
"It is nice to be back. There are always a few cobwebs when you come back but I felt fine against CSKA and the injury felt fine. My fitness was good but the overall sharpness and touch is not there yet. This game will definitely help me."
Meanwhile, the back trouble that kept Ferdinand out of the Reds side for nine matches in the middle of last season is still bothering the centre back and could be behind his struggle for form.
Meanwhile, Fletcher is relishing the challenge of Sunday's Stamford Bridge showdown against Chelsea.
"They have a top midfield but you look all around and they are strong," said Fletcher.
"The thing about Chelsea is their strength. That is the thing you notice about them. They are all physically strong and good players as well.
"There is great respect between the two of us. We have been challenging for the league the past five or six years. It is going to be a great challenge at Stamford Bridge. They have a great record at home.
"There is a long way to go in the title race but psychologically it could be important."
Which midfielder should play for United against Chelsea? Have your say.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
WAS IT REALLY 37 YEARS, TAMESIDE (05/11/2009 at 09:48)
Gilly, Belgium (05/11/2009 at 10:28)
OpenshawBoy, Canada (05/11/2009 at 10:29)
But the problem could be who to play on the left. Giggsy could do a job there, but he isn't particularly physical, though his moxy and his little less than it used to be speed could be invaluable, or do we throw Obertan in there? I think he will be a good one in time, but is he ready for the cauldron of Stamford Bridge? Nani continues to frustrate, and Anderson isn't really a wide player. So in the end I think we should toss a coin, or just leave it to Fergie to get it right.
Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (05/11/2009 at 11:11)
WAS IT REALLY 34 YEARS, stop hiding your bitter blue origins. How did it feel to have MO7 score the winner in the 96th minute btw?
Brora boy, Highlands (05/11/2009 at 11:19)
Manchester United- the team despised by most Mancunians and the majority of football fans., Tick tock, not long now. (05/11/2009 at 11:41)
Haakon (05/11/2009 at 11:41)
Scholesy passed me the ball..., England (05/11/2009 at 12:09)
Vidic not fully fit, Fletcher not fully fit, Ferdinand never fully fit. Must be time to see Hargreaves soon.....I don't suppose he's fully fit but it doesn't seem to matter.
ribery's ankle, Amsterdam (05/11/2009 at 12:14)
Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (05/11/2009 at 12:19)
It seems our medical team has again been instrumental !!.....why wasn't that problem cleared up last summer ? Coupled now with the floating bone, & it would appear young private Fraser is in a bit of a bad way !!
He certainly didn't look his mobile self on Tues, regardless of what he says. Lets watch & see .....but i won't be holding my breath that an op doesn't materialise well before next summer!
joey (05/11/2009 at 12:25)
red john (05/11/2009 at 12:43)
Jimmy N (05/11/2009 at 13:05)
No.
Pain killing injections fundamentally do not "enhance" performance, they merely facilitate players performing free of pain and within their natural limits.
ted knott, droylsden (05/11/2009 at 13:10)
Obviousy United think they will miss Fletcher if he went for surgery now and in truth without going into detail that tells you something because as one correspondent posted earlier the Scotland fans think he is average but thats being moderate opinion according to other views.
Fletcher would be better in the long term going for surgery now because he'll be back playing again before the end of January but thats just my opinion but to be honest I couldn't care less I just think United and Fletcher in particular are being very foolish.
Gilly, Belgium (05/11/2009 at 13:18)
Uwe the Goat, Brighton (05/11/2009 at 14:26)
Fletcher has been Utd's best player this season. Credit to him because I used to think he was a total joke.
Gianni Rossi (05/11/2009 at 14:44)
People have been defending him for over six years. On Tuesday he played, was less than impressive, but he's been instantly defended by his new disciples, making it clear he's just returning from injury. Well my answer to that is, a few games in the reserves surely should be played if someone is not match fit.
If Fletcher is not fit, he needs to have the operation, his game is all about running and an ankle injury must hinder that. What I don't want to see is, if he plays on and is not up to standard, people constantly defending the fact that he's playing with an injury. Improved as he has, surely fergie has more at his diposal than a half fit Darren Fletcher.
Paddy Evra's Facial Hair, Manchester M1!! (05/11/2009 at 14:49)
HE'S SUSPENDED!!!!!!
Roy (05/11/2009 at 14:50)
david allen (05/11/2009 at 15:00)
bobbydazzler (05/11/2009 at 15:43)
he has improved give him credit .
fair for most of his 140 game trial period he alternated between utter ****E and mediocre with the very occasional good game thrown in.
in the last 18 months he has reinvented himself, now he often only needs 2 touches to control the ball whereas before it was usually 5. his passing is better, he does,nt give it away so much nowadays, his stamina his better, a fart no longer robs him of the ball. to cap it all he gets himself into goalscoring chances more than the rest of the midfield lads combined. if he can start converting more of the chances he gets we have to say that he should be considered a fairly good ( never great) player. so i say to you give him the credit he deserves. you are right he is no inestia xavi or fabregas but to be fair they are truly outstanding players he will never come close to matching up to them. he has howhever laid the ghosts of our truly awful midifield trio of opie smith and his former
self
Duncan, London (05/11/2009 at 15:58)
tooth&claw, manchester (05/11/2009 at 16:06)
Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (05/11/2009 at 16:47)
ron swipes (05/11/2009 at 17:04)
but elsewhere Fletcher explains the "stuck" ankle -
"A bit of bone has broken off the back of my ankle and stuck about an inch away, so every time I bend it is causing a bit of pain," he explained. "It has reached the point where striking a ball, or bending the ankle in a flexed position, or pushing off the ground, hurts. I have had an injection to clear it up for a while, but eventually it is going to need to be cleaned out."
An inch can make all the difference.