It does not seem that long ago that Fletcher's name on the team sheet was more likely to elicit groans than cheers from the club's own fans.
Yet over the past 18 months, the Scotland skipper's star has risen rapidly.
His absence from the Champions League final in Rome was cited as one of the major reasons why Sir Alex Ferguson's side struggled against Barcelona in May.
The fact that Fletcher has missed seven of United's last nine defeats in all competitions certainly adds weight to that theory.
Now it seems the 26-year-old has also added goalscoring to his repertoire.
Although still not prolific by any means, Fletcher scored twice in the 4-3 derby win over Manchester City in September and put United on the road to a comfortable 3-0 win over Everton yesterday with a stunning 20-yard volley into the top corner of Tim Howard's net.
"Darren is one of the best midfielders around at the moment," said Carrick.
"His performances are at the highest level and it is great to play alongside him. He really is on top of his game."
Fletcher is not the type to seek attention and his reaction to another eye-catching contribution was typically matter of fact.
"The main thing with a strike like that is to get your foot over the ball and fortunately it went in the back of the net," he said.
"It was one of my best strikes."
Fletcher is going to be a pivotal figure over the next few months as United try to hunt down Chelsea, who remain five points clear at the top of the table.
However, they will need goals from every department as the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo has turned up the heat on everyone.
"The goals Ronaldo scored were extraordinary for a wide man," Carrick added. "It's obvious that we cannot rely on the strikers every week.
"We have all chipped in and we need to do it more often. As long as someone is scoring it is not an issue. It is winning games that matter."
Carrick counts himself among that number, so he was particularly pleased with the neat side-footed effort that effectively sealed victory before Antonio Valencia grabbed a late third.
As the direct replacement for Ronaldo, Valencia has been cajoled into increasing what was a minimal goals output at Wigan.
He only scored seven for the Latics last season and, including the deflected effort against CSKA Moscow that UEFA have credited him with, the Ecuador international now has four for United.
He is also starting to impose himself on games, with his forceful running unhinging a disappointing Everton outfit who seemed intent on containment.
"Antonio is a top-class player," said Fletcher. "He is getting used to the way we play and he was in the groove again.
"He is a really strong physical lad who can get goals. We have seen that in training and I believe he is going to get a lot for Manchester United."
The injuries which kept Dimitar Berbatov and Jonny Evans out yesterday will also consign them to the stands for Wednesday's Champions League outing with Group B basement boys Besiktas.
With qualification for the knockout phase already assured, changes are likely.
Gary Neville should return from suspension but more interest will focus on the goalkeeping situation.
Edwin van der Sar, who took a knock in a collision with Tim Cahill, could stand down in favour of either Tomasz Kuszczak or Ben Foster, who again did not make the bench against Everton despite being named in the England side beaten by Brazil last weekend.
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charbel (22/11/2009 at 15:18)
Now he's grown up and he's realized his dream, he's gonna be the captain of our team.
And he would run 500 miles and he would run 500 more, to be the man who'll surely score,
To be the man Darren Fletcher.
Darren Fletcher Darren Fletcher Darren Fletcher Darren Fletcher, Darranda randa randa randara!
Raju, Katmandu (22/11/2009 at 16:24)
Good one.
That's six months of Danny's joy bundled into one little post.
Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (22/11/2009 at 16:28)
With young Cleverley sure to feature soon we could have a few goals in the line-up from the middle
While the whingers call Fergie the odd childish name....Mark Hughes.. the bloke is just 46 and by hell..that job at the council squat is'nt doing him any favours!!!!
The Red Knight (22/11/2009 at 16:32)
sigmund fraud,, strangeways (22/11/2009 at 16:49)
paul salmon (22/11/2009 at 17:27)
He clearly has the capacity to strike the ball very cleanly, is more than capable in the air, and makes late surges into the opposing penalty area. With the confidence he is gaining there is no reason why all this cannot be transmitted into more goals, making him the complete box to box player. His performances yesterday and against chelsea were worthy of Gerrad at his best.
A mention also for Carrick, well played and a lovely goal as well. What, with Scholes chipping in with a great late cameo, and Anderson and Hargreaves to add to the mix, we suddenly don't look as woeful in midfield as the doom and gloom merchants have professed.
Paul, Whalley Range
jordy, Middleton (22/11/2009 at 20:51)
Mancinitaly, Calabria (22/11/2009 at 21:01)
How cold is it here? Back off to sunny southern Italy tomorrow.
Steve, Glossop (22/11/2009 at 22:39)
Raju, Katmandu (23/11/2009 at 02:54)
But Tevez played. And you have a whacking big poster of him welcoming folks like me to Manchester. Ah, you don't want anyone from the Himalayas? I know, you have people coming from the Arabian deserts.
The great player Tevez is retiring from football at the age of 25 we hear? Playing for you probably inspires him and what about Robinho? Going to Barcelona, going there, almost gone, but they don't want him. "I am very happy to sign for Chelsea," "Oh no! Where am I?" "I am going to Barca, got to copy United's Ronaldo, not that I'm that good, but still gotta do better than the reds."
fraudee, my dear fraudeeeee, where's the goat gone? La, O my gosh, the Yeti's eaten the goat.
World-wide-United, Not-in-wasteland (23/11/2009 at 07:55)
i'm very optimistic that man u will be way on top of the table after january
.......
roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (23/11/2009 at 07:57)
it certainly will be Carrick. Tbh he isnt good enough..
Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (23/11/2009 at 08:05)
Dave-K, ex-Cheadle (23/11/2009 at 08:50)
david allen (23/11/2009 at 10:13)
A Double Diamond works wonders, Tick Tock (23/11/2009 at 11:24)
Duncan, London (23/11/2009 at 11:30)
David Allen maybe not but that was the best midfield in world football. I do think he would have been better than Butt though so would have got at least the same number of games, probably more, that he did. Especially the season Keane was injured. Keane would also have been sold a season or two earlier on Fletcher's current form.
Robbo, N2409, M16 (23/11/2009 at 11:58)
Although he's currently playing in midfield, both Fergie and Moyes see his long term future as a CB and, with Ferdinand's injury problems, and Vidic likely leaving in the summer, it's a logical move.
Re Hargreaves, on Friday Fergie made some cryptic comments about 'confidence' issues holding up his recovery. Ie exactly what he used to say about Saha. Doesn't look good.
Fletcher's better than Ireland, Salford (23/11/2009 at 12:07)
stevi, france (23/11/2009 at 12:58)
"Re Hargreaves, on Friday Fergie made some cryptic comments about 'confidence' issues holding up his recovery. Ie exactly what he used to say about Saha. Doesn't look good."
TBH I think you're expecting too much and there is absolutely no comparision with Saha. OH has had a major opp on not one but both his knees so its a long way back also OH played through a lot of pain before it was decided to operate and its perfectly normal that and the worry of injury will be in the back of his mind. Especially when he pushed himself too hard too quickly and had to take a couple of days rest.
I'd like to think he'll be back before the New year but if it after so be it, better to have him fully recovered and raring to go than half fit, not fully commited and hence risking injury.
Alias Smith, over the moon (23/11/2009 at 13:00)
Overall, you'd have to say we are blessed with quality midfielders, regardless of whether Hargo ever gets his head right to make a return at the highest level. Many United fans consider that Chelsea have the strongest midfield around but we bossed them with three across the park and we did likewise to Everton in the more conventional 442.
As someone else said, the other players have stepped up to the goalscoring plate just as they did when Ruud left - and I think I've already won my bet with bobbyd on the goalscoring of our midfield for the season, even though it's only November!
It's all good.
stevi, france (23/11/2009 at 13:05)
A Double Diamond works wonders, Tick Tock 23/11/2009 at 11:24 If you're talking about flair etc. then obviously Fletcher isn't world class but then these flair players only get the chance to play if theres someone in there breaking up the play, winning the ball back and giving good distibution and in the big games playing against world class players Fletcher has never looked out of place, has he?
Red8, Cheshire (23/11/2009 at 14:07)
tooth&claw, manchester (23/11/2009 at 15:42)
tooth&claw, manchester (23/11/2009 at 15:48)
For me, he's easily the most effective midfielder in the Premiership at the moment. The fact that he made Wenger cry is testimony to that. Wenger would give his right arm to have someone in his side like Fletcher.