Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is to take "an extended break from football" owing to a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, his club have announced.
United have revealed that Fletcher, who has been sidelined at various points in recent times with was reported to be a virus, has been suffering with the condition for some time.
The 27-year-old has now been advised to take a complete break from the game.
A statement from the club read: "On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons.
"Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality; Darren has in fact been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.
"Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period this has proved more difficult recently and Darren's continued desire to play and his loyalty to both club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.
"He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.
"We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery."
Fletcher made only one start for United last term after March 1 and was an unused substitute for the 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
He has made 10 appearances in all competitions for the Reds during the current campaign, with the last coming on November 22.
Fletcher, the Scotland captain, has also played for his country in four Euro 2012 qualifiers this season.
Scotland boss Craig Levein said: "I am obviously absolutely devastated for Darren because I know how hard he has worked to get back to playing regularly for his club and country.
"He is one of the most inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with and on behalf of his Scotland team-mates and my backroom staff I sincerely hope this time off, allied to the support of his family, will enable him to make a full recovery."
What do you think? Have your say.
Manchester United star Darren Fletcher to take break from football for health reasons
December 13, 2011
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The the heck happened with you if its the virus again what type of virus is this but best of luck
Just read this on the club site get well soon Darren your health is more important then the club or the game hope to see you back soon
Get better soon Darren!
Blue in peace. Sad news. Clearly not been the player he used to be for sometime now.
Shocking news, to think Darren battled on whilst suffering acute pain, only increases my respect for the guy, Good luck Darren,We salute you.
Get well soon fletch
good luck darren. true gent and a real football man.
There can't be any question now that we need at least two proven midfielders.
Get well soon Fletch I hope you make a full recovery and come back as good as you were at your peak.
This cannot be good for the lad, get well soon.
That sounds worrying. Hope Darren is ok and comes back fighting fit. With only 1 fully fit recognised central midfielder now available in Carrick, we need to get the chequebook out. What's the odds we sign another defender and play Jones there??
This is bad news for the lad, he's certainly a wholehearted player and his contribution will be missed. It seems that our central midfield is really being blitzed at the moment. What a blessing that Carrick has recaptured some form. I would like to see some movement in this area from the management either by involving Pogba and/or Morrison and/or by making a serious signing in January. Get well soon Darren!
This explains a lot . He hasn't been his normal all action self this season [ the reason is now clear for all to see ]
It does however greatly increase the need to bring in a Midfield addition in January
Come on Fergie flash the cash!
It is a shame,he his the most honest player in the Premier league, get well soon Darren.
He is a important player for manchester united. But health is important. Take a break...
First and foremost, you've got to feel for Fletch - must have been a hard decision to take such medical advice. I hope he recovers fully and is able to cope with what looks like sitting out the rest of the season.
Now what to do, 2 main players out for the rest of the season. I guess there's a lot of people on here who think that we can just play Jones in both defence and midfield, and battle it out with 10 men for the rest of the campaign.
So that's 3 midfielders needed now... I trust they'd been scouting in preparation for this...???
Get well soon.I know you had a bad health issue last year and hope this is not a reaccurance.I am hoping all football fans wish you well despite what shirt we wear,mine being blue
As a Blue I hope that all goes well for you Darren. Having had relatives who have suffered from this type of disease my sympathies go out to the lad.
Get well soon. Things like this bring down the barriers between red and blue.
Im not his biggest fan but when hes got that shrit on have always backed him 100% and I have always appreciated that he gives nothing less than that.
wish him a speedy recovery .
I have agreat deal of sympathy for Darren Fletcher. It is a horrible, sometimes painful , depressing and debilitating disease that has you wondering if you have bowel cancer. I suffered with it for nearly 40 years and I hope that the treatments available for it have improved considerably since I started with it
just yesterday on another thread i was questioning the return of fletch.
get well soon lad and come back fit and healthy.
sir alex you took a massive risk coming into this season with our midfield squad.
scholes just retired
giggs just received his bus pass
hargreaves consigned to the knackers yard
gibson all but given is marching orders
carrick banished but now recalled.
cleverley untried and injured again
andersen still struggling to complete 90 minutes.
it beggars belief that you chose not to add to our much depleted squad
Health before anything else. Good luck Darren from a blue.
Although I'm not sure exactly what the condition entails, football loyalties take a back seat when it comes to what is obviously a serious health issue. All the best to Darren in his recovery.
very sad news. great man and great player. football comes a distant second where health is concerned. fingers crossed he makes a complete recovery.
wishing you a speedy recovery darren when your fit no one could question your appetite for the game all the best