Significant Season For Fletch

It may have been a disappointing campaign for the Reds, but Darren Fletcher admits he will always looks back on this season as a significant one for him on a personal level.

The Scot made his long-awaited return from ulcerative colitis in December having missed almost a year of football because of the condition.

Fletcher has spoken in the past of how he feared he may never play again, and as he reflected on the 2013/14 in an exclusive interview with MUTV he said that, despite a frustrating term for the team, he is delighted to be back.

"Anything was almost a bonus for me this season," he declared. "I'd been out for such a long time and then there was such a gap from last summer to when I came back in terms of fitness and where the other lads were at. So I looked at it as anything being a bonus.

"Once you’re back your competitive nature takes over and I’m really looking forward to a summer of keeping fit and getting a good pre-season under my belt. I feel as if I’ve improved as the season has gone on and I hope I can continue doing that.”

Fletcher was asked how he feels about the level of uncertainty around the club with no new manager in place yet and subsequent player arrivals and departures expected during the summer. However, the Scot insists he is just focused on ensuring he is ready to go again next term.

“I think you can sometimes worry too much about that,” he said. “It’s important to focus on yourself and make sure you come back for the new season in the right condition and whoever is the manager you have to try to impress him in pre-season and training.

“It’s never been any different here and that’s always been my mindset. It’s a big squad with competition for places and you have to impress when you get an opportunity.”

One man who has certainly impressed Fletcher during his run as interim boss is Ryan Giggs.

“Ryan has done a fantastic job. He is made for management, you’ve seen that in these last few weeks,” he added. “He’s a winner, a leader and an inspiration. And tactically he’s very astute. He has everything.

“It was a very smooth transition from player to manager. I know it’s something he’s thought about and I’ve enjoyed every minute playing under him.”