View source for Darren Fletcher

{{Short description|Scottish footballer (born 1984)}}
{{about||the broadcaster|Darren Fletcher (broadcaster)|the baseball player|Darrin Fletcher}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Darren Fletcher
| image = Darren Fletcher 2017 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Fletcher with [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in 2017
| full_name = Darren Barr Fletcher<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/527313.pdf |title=UCL Booking List 2006/2007 |page=2 |publisher=UEFA |date=12 April 2007 |access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|2|1|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/8871/darren-fletcher |title=Darren Fletcher |publisher=ESPN |access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Mayfield, Midlothian|Mayfield]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/darren-fletcher-8125/ |title=Darren Fletcher |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| currentclub = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] (Under-18s Lead Coach)
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = [[Hutchison Vale F.C.|Hutchison Vale]]
| youthyears2 = 
| youthclubs2 = [[Tynecastle Boys Club]]
| youthyears3 = 
| youthclubs3 = [[Celtic Boys Club]]
| youthyears4 = 1995–2003
| youthclubs4 = [[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy|Manchester United]]
| years1 = 2002–2015
| clubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| caps1 = 223
| goals1 = 18
| years2 = 2015–2017
| clubs2 = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
| caps2 = 91
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2017–2019
| clubs3 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| caps3 = 38
| goals3 = 2
| totalcaps = 352
| totalgoals = 24
| nationalyears1 = 2002
| nationalteam1 = [[Scotland national under-20 football team|Scotland U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2002–2003
| nationalteam2 = [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U21]]
| nationalcaps2 = 4
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2003
| nationalteam3 = [[Scotland B national football team|Scotland B]]
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 2003–2017
| nationalteam4 = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
| nationalcaps4 = 80
| nationalgoals4 = 5
}}
'''Darren Barr Fletcher''' (born 1 February 1984) is a Scottish [[association football|football]] coach and former professional player who is currently serving as an under-18s coach at [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], where he spent the majority of his playing career and won 13 trophies including five [[Premier League]] titles and the [[UEFA Champions League]]. He mostly played as a [[Midfielder#Centre midfielder|central midfielder]], but began his career as a [[Midfielder#Winger|right winger]] and also featured occasionally in [[Defender (association football)|defence]].

Fletcher came through the ranks of [[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy|Manchester United's Youth Academy]] and spent 20 years with United, making 342 appearances for the club. With them, he won five Premier Leagues, one [[FA Cup]], two [[Football League Cup|League Cup]]s, four [[FA Community Shield]]s, the [[FIFA Club World Cup]] and the UEFA Champions League. Fletcher was included in the [[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Premier League Team of the Year]] for [[PFA Team of the Year#Premier League 18|2009–10]]. He was named vice-captain in his last season with the club. He joined [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in February 2015, where he made 97 appearances. After leaving Albion in 2017, Fletcher had a two-year stint with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]. He returned to Manchester United in a coaching capacity in October 2020, working with the club's under-16s players, before being appointed to the first team in January 2021. In March 2021, he became technical director at Manchester United.

Fletcher made his full international debut for [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] in 2003, and scored his first international goal on his second appearance. The following year, he played as the team's youngest [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for over a century. After [[Barry Ferguson]] was banned from international football because of a breach of regulations, Fletcher was given the captaincy on a full-time basis in August 2009.<ref name="captain">{{cite web |title=Scots built for attack – Fletcher |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8194452.stm |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 August 2009 |date=13 August 2009 }}</ref><ref name="captain2">{{cite web |title=Fletcher honoured to be captain |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/8196191.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2009 |access-date=12 August 2009 }}</ref> In total he won 80 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] and scored 5 goals for Scotland.<ref>{{SFA Profile|id=27512}}</ref>

The middle of Fletcher's career was disrupted by an extended break from football due to health problems caused by [[ulcerative colitis]].<ref name="health-break">{{cite news |title=Darren Fletcher takes break for health reasons |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Dec/darren-fletcher-takes-a-break.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |access-date=13 December 2011 }}</ref> Between November 2011 and December 2013, he played only ten times for his club, undergoing an operation in early 2013 to lessen the effects of the condition after a failed return in September 2012.<ref name="return">{{cite web |title=Darren Fletcher ovation pleases Alex Ferguson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19655602 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=20 September 2012 }}</ref><ref name="ulcop">{{cite news |title=Darren Fletcher: Manchester United man out until summer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21069820 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2013 |access-date=17 January 2013 }}</ref>

==Early life==
Fletcher was born in [[Dalkeith]]<ref>{{Hugman|6505|access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> and raised in [[Mayfield, Midlothian|Mayfield]] near [[Edinburgh]]. He was educated at St Luke's RC Primary School and [[St David's Roman Catholic High School|St David's RC High School]] in Dalkeith.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland-star-to-be-added-to-hall-of-fame-1-1194017 |title=Scotland star to be added to hall of fame |work=The Scotsman |date=3 March 2009}}</ref> He is of Irish descent through his mother who hails from [[Achill Island]].<ref name="Heneghan McIntyre 2015">{{cite web | last1=Heneghan | first1=Conor | last2=McIntyre | first2=Niall | title=Five famous soccer players from abroad with GAA connections | website=JOE.ie | date=February 18, 2015 | url=https://www.joe.ie/sport/five-famous-soccer-players-from-abroad-with-gaa-connections-485429 | access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Manchester United===
====Early years====
Fletcher played his youth football at [[Hutchison Vale F.C.|Hutchison Vale]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Andy Driver just another product of incredible Hutchison Vale youth set-up |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/andy-driver-just-another-product-1039080 |publisher=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |date=13 October 2009 }}</ref> [[Tynecastle Boys Club]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Congratulations to former duo |url=http://www.tynecastlefc.co.uk/newsstory.php?nid=241 |website=tynecastlefc.co.uk |date=16 June 2012 |access-date=11 March 2013 |archive-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312101717/http://www.tynecastlefc.co.uk/newsstory.php?nid=241 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Celtic Boys Club]] before being scouted by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fletcher explains Old Firm snub |first=Paul |last=Higham |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=6 July 2018 |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2280221/fletcher-explains-old-firm-snub }}</ref> He first joined the Manchester United youth setup at the age of 11, and then signed with the club when he was aged 15.<ref name=newcastle/> Fletcher said in 2020 that he had almost signed for [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] instead, as some people advised him it would be harder to break into the Manchester United first team.<ref name=newcastle>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/i-almost-signed-for-newcastle-united-says-darren-fletcher-s6vzvbmwb |title=I almost signed for Newcastle United, says Darren Fletcher |first=Paul |last=Forsyth |newspaper=The Times |date=5 May 2020 |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>

He progressed quickly with Manchester United, and could have become the youngest player ever to appear in their first team when he was selected in their squad for the final fixture of the [[1999–2000 FA Premier League]] season, against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] on 14 May 2000.<ref name=ponting337/> This plan was stymied as Premier League rules prohibited players on schoolboy contracts from appearing at the senior level, and his debut was delayed.<ref name=ponting337>{{cite book |last1=Ponting |first1=Ivan |title=Manchester United: Player by Player |orig-year=1989 |edition=8th |year=2008 |publisher=Know The Score Books |location=Studley |isbn=978-1-84818-300-1 |page=337 }}</ref> He had been part of the reserve team that won the [[Manchester Senior Cup]] in 1999–2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darren Fletcher – United Honours |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/First-Team/Darren-Fletcher.aspx?section=HonoursAndAwards |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> Fletcher was initially seen as a [[Midfielder#Winger|right midfielder]], similar to [[David Beckham]], and was tipped by many to break into the first-team with ease and stay there for many years to come.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Lawrence |title=Fletcher is ready to fill Beckham's boots |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/columns/2000/0728/20000728featlawrence.html |work=ESPNsoccernet |date=28 July 2000 |access-date=13 April 2007 |archive-date=6 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006175319/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/columns/2000/0728/20000728featlawrence.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> As he developed he came to be viewed more as a [[Midfielder#Centre midfielder|central midfielder]].{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Over the next couple of seasons, Fletcher's involvement was limited due to various injuries, including a broken foot. Nevertheless, by the [[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03 season]], he had become a regular member of the reserve team, and after several appearances as an unused substitute, he finally made his first-team debut on 12 March 2003 – almost three years behind schedule – starting on the right side of midfield against [[FC Basel|Basel]] in the second group stage of the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]].<ref name=CourageAndStrength/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2002/matches/round=1637/match=1038264/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613024709/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2002/matches/round=1637/match=1038264/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2013 |work=[[UEFA]] |title=Brave Basel come up short |date=13 March 2003 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> He was substituted for David Beckham after 73 minutes, but a second Champions League appearance followed against [[Deportivo de La Coruña]] a week later,<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Ashdown |title=Deportivo La Coruna 2 – 0 Man United |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/mar/18/minutebyminute.sport |work=guardian.co.uk |date=18 March 2003 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> and he was named as a substitute for both legs of the quarter-final tie against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Real cruise past Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2924265.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2003 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Barry |last=Glendenning |title=Manchester United 4 – 3 Real Madrid (agg: 5 – 6) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/apr/23/minutebyminute.sport |work=guardian.co.uk |date=23 April 2003 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> For his performances for the reserve team during the 2002–03 season, Fletcher received the [[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy#Players of the Year|Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year]] award.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

====First-team regular====
Fletcher broke into the Manchester United team during the [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04 campaign]], playing a number of important matches and starting in United's [[2004 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]] win over [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] in May 2004.<ref name="facup04">{{cite news |title=Man Utd win FA Cup |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/3725063.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2004 |access-date=2 January 2010 }}</ref> Despite a slow start to the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05 campaign]], in which in the early part of the season he made very few competitive appearances, Fletcher again broke into the United first-team. On 1 January 2005, Fletcher scored his first goal at club level in a 2–0 win over [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Middlesbrough 0–2 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4114661.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=1 January 2005 |access-date=2 January 2010 }}</ref>

Fletcher was one of the players singled out for criticism by club captain [[Roy Keane]] in the wake of United's 4–1 defeat to Middlesbrough in October 2005.<ref>{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Taylor |title=Keane gagged by United after TV attack on players |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/nov/01/newsstory.television |work=The Guardian |date=1 November 2005 |access-date=1 May 2010 }}</ref> Keane reportedly said, "I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher." However, Keane later attempted to set the record straight stating, "If you listen to any of my comments over the last two or three years, if I've given any player credit over the years it would be Fletch. Fletch will tell you that himself."<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Grant |title=Keane Rates Fletcher |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/keane-rates-fletcher-1.34255 |work=Sunday Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |date=18 December 2005 |access-date=1 September 2013 }}</ref> Fletcher went some way towards answering his critics on 6 November 2005, with his performance in the vital league match at home to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], scoring the only goal of the game with a looping header.<ref name="Chelsea-goal">{{cite web |title=Man Utd 1–0 Chelsea |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4387838.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=6 November 2005 |access-date=2 January 2010 }}</ref> His winning goal ended Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.<ref name="Chelsea-goal"/>

In [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]], at the start of the season Fletcher retained a place in the first-team but only on the bench and scored in an away win over [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Howard |last=Nurse |title=Charlton 0–3 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5266142.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 August 2006 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> as well as scoring the headed winner in the away game with [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in December<ref>{{cite news |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |title=Middlesbrough 1–2 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6183284.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2006 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> and another headed goal in the home win against Charlton in February, making it a double against the club that season.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Hughes |title=Man Utd 2–0 Charlton |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6327087.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2007 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> As the season progressed, Alex Ferguson preferred the midfield quartet of [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Paul Scholes]], [[Michael Carrick]] and [[Ryan Giggs]], limiting Fletcher to a few substitute appearances. However, with Scholes absent through suspension, he made a starring appearance in United's 7–1 win over [[A.S. Roma|Roma]] in the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] quarter-final.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Bevan |title=Man Utd 7–1 Roma (agg 8–3) |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6534975.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 April 2007 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref>

In the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08 season]], with the arrival at the club of fellow central midfielders [[Owen Hargreaves]] and [[Anderson (footballer, born 1988)|Anderson]] and [[Midfielder#Winger|winger]] [[Nani (footballer)|Nani]], Fletcher played even less than he did during the previous season. As before, Ferguson preferred Carrick, Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo to him in midfield, and got even less playing time than the new arrivals. He did, however, put in some stalwart performances when given the chance, including two goals in the 4–0 defeat of Arsenal at Old Trafford in the [[2007–08 FA Cup|FA Cup]] fourth round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7224064.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd 4–0 Arsenal|date=16 February 2008|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> Fletcher picked up a Champions League winner's medal but was an unused substitute in the [[2008 UEFA Champions League Final|final]].<ref name="cl08">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7406252.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd earn dramatic Euro glory|date=22 May 2008|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Darren Fletcher vs Everton (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Fletcher with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 2009]]

In the [[2008–09 in English football|2008–09 season]], Fletcher started the first two games, due to injuries to Carrick and Ronaldo, and scored against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] at [[Old Trafford]] in United's first Premier League match of the season, forcing a 1–1 draw after [[Obafemi Martins]]' goal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd 1–1 Newcastle |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7551173.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2008 |access-date=26 August 2008 |first=Jonathan |last=Stevenson}}</ref> Fletcher notched his second goal of the season opening the scoring from close range against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], following a pass from [[Patrice Evra]]. He was later shown a yellow card on the 93rd minute before the match ended 1–0.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian|last=Hughes|title=Portsmouth 0–1 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7565068.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=25 August 2008 |access-date=26 August 2008 }}</ref> On 3 October 2008, Fletcher signed a three-year extension to his contract with Man Utd, keeping him at the club until 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scholes & Fletcher sign new deals |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7651126.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2008 |access-date=3 October 2008 }}</ref> Fletcher notched his third goal of the season against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] on 25 October.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/25/everton-manchester-united-premier-league|work=guardian.co.uk|title=Everton hold Manchester United as Rooney draws a blank|date=25 October 2008|access-date=30 January 2012|first=Howard|last=Swains}}</ref> He then scored in the [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|Club World Cup]] semi-final against [[Gamba Osaka]] on 18 December after coming off the bench.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/18/worldclubchampionship-manchesterunited|work=guardian.co.uk|title=Gamba Osaka v Manchester United – as it happened|date=18 December 2008|access-date=30 January 2012|first=Barry|last=Glendenning}}</ref>

[[File:Darren fletcher.jpg|thumb|upright|Fletcher in September 2009]]

In the Champions League semi-final second leg against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on 5 May 2009, Fletcher was sent off, ruling him out of the Champions League Final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8010853.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Arsenal 1–3 Man Utd (agg 1–4)|date=5 May 2009|access-date=1 May 2010}}</ref> Manchester United appealed to UEFA to have the red card overturned on compassionate grounds on 7 May 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_5293440,00.html|work=Sky Sports|title=United lodge Fletcher appeal|date=7 May 2009}}</ref> but this was rejected on 11 May.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fletcher appeal rejected |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8037362.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2009|access-date=11 May 2009}}</ref> Then-[[Inter Milan]] coach [[José Mourinho]] commented on his absence: "Fletcher is more important than people think ... he 'eats' opponents in defensive transition. I believe [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]] and [[Andrés Iniesta]] are happy Fletch is not playing."<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/5374409/Jose-Mourinho-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-can-become-the-greatest-in-Rome.html Jose Mourinho: Sir Alex Ferguson can become the greatest in Rome]. ''[[The Daily Telegraph]].'' 24 May 2009. Retrieved on 27 March 2013.</ref>

The 2009–10 season saw Fletcher consolidate his place in the heart of the United midfield, starting all of United's important games. He opened his scoring account for the season with a double in the first [[Manchester derby]] of the season, a memorable [[Manchester United F.C. 4–3 Manchester City F.C. (2009)|4–3 victory]] for United, twice putting United ahead before [[Michael Owen]] scored in the sixth minute of added time. He won the [[Man of the Match]] award for his performance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Man Utd 4–3 Man City|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8256750.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=20 September 2009|access-date=20 September 2009}}</ref> On 21 November 2009, Fletcher scored his third of the season, hitting a half volley from the edge of the area into the top corner giving United a 1–0 lead against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in a 3–0 win.<ref>{{cite news|title=Man Utd 3–0 Everton|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8364359.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=21 November 2009|access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref> This season also saw Fletcher and fellow midfielders [[Michael Carrick]] and [[Park Ji-sung]] deputise in defence due to an injury crisis that left Patrice Evra being the only fit regular in defence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-united-injury-crisis-deepens-1835961.html|work=The Independent|title=Manchester United injury crisis deepens |date=7 December 2009|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> They still managed to keep a clean sheet against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ashenden |first1=Mark |title=West Ham 0-4 Man Utd |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8390387.stm |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 December 2009}}</ref> and concede only one goal against Bundesliga champions [[VfL Wolfsburg|Wolfsburg]] in the Champions League.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8399065.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Wolfsburg 1–3 Man Utd |date=8 December 2009|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> Fletcher was sent off during the match against [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] on 9 January 2010 after two bookable offences.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/12/darren-fletcher-manchester-united|work=guardian.co.uk|title=Manchester United's Darren Fletcher frustrated by Birmingham red card |date=12 January 2010|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> On 10 March, he scored the fourth goal in a 4–0 win in the second leg of United's last 16 Champions League tie with [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]], making the score 7–2 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8558023.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd 4–0 AC Milan (agg 7–2)|date=10 March 2010|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> Following this, Fletcher captained United for the first time in the league match against West Ham and was later confirmed as United's vice-captain, a position he held until December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Carrick takes over as Manchester United vice-captain from Darren Fletcher|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/michael-carrick-takes-over-as-manchester-united-vice-captain-from-darren-fletcher-9937595.html|website=The Independent|date=20 December 2014|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> In April, Fletcher capped a successful season with selection in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.<ref name="toy">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8643305.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Rooney is PFA player of the year|date=25 April 2010|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> On 9 May, the last day of the season, Fletcher scored the first goal of a 4–0 win at home to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8664533.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd 4–0 Stoke|date=9 May 2010|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref>

====Later years and illness====
Fletcher made his first start of the 2011–12 season in United's first group stage match on 14 September 2011 in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] away at [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], which ended in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/sep/15/manchester-united-darren-fletcher|work=guardian.co.uk|title=Manchester United face toughest title defence, says Darren Fletcher|date=15 September 2011|access-date=30 January 2012|first=Andy|last=Hunter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Sep/darren-fletcher-delighted-to-be-back.aspx|work=ManUtd.com|publisher=Manchester United|title=Fletch: Good to be back|date=14 September 2011|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> This was Fletcher's first start for a number of months after being sidelined towards the end of the 2010–11 season with illness, revealed in December 2011 to be [[ulcerative colitis]].<ref name="health-break"/> He made his first Premier League appearance of the season four days later in a 3–1 home win against title rivals Chelsea.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/14869914.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd 3–1 Chelsea|date=18 September 2011|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> Fletcher maintained his place in centre midfield in the following Premier League games against Stoke<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/14958150.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Stoke 1–1 Man Utd|date=24 September 2011|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> and [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/15045317.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd 2–0 Norwich|date=1 October 2011|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> On 23 October, he scored the consolation goal in a 6–1 defeat to local rivals Manchester City,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/15325536.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Man Utd 1–6 Man City|date=23 October 2006|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref> with a curling shot into the top corner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8839785/Manchester-United-v-Manchester-City-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/8839785/Manchester-United-v-Manchester-City-live.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Manchester United v Manchester City: live|date=23 October 2011|access-date=30 January 2012|first=Jonathan|last=Liew}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Fletcher made his 300th career appearance for Manchester United on 5 November in a 1–0 home win against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fletch: United is my home |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Exclusive-Interviews/2011/Nov/darren-fletcher-united-review-interview.aspx |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=30 January 2012 }}</ref> Fletcher scored United's second goal in a 2–2 draw with Benfica on 22 November in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. He met Patrice Evra's cross at the first attempt, which the goalkeeper got a hand to and he followed it up on the second attempt to score.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/22/manchester-united-benfica-champions-league|work=guardian.co.uk|title=Manchester United's future in doubt after Benfica snatch worthy point|date=22 November 2011|access-date=30 January 2012|first=Stuart|last=James}}</ref> Following this match, he announced that he would be taking an extended break from football following medical advice about his ongoing ulcerative colitis.<ref name="health-break"/> He did not play again in the 2011–12 season.<ref>{{cite news |first=Katy |last=Murrells |title=Darren Fletcher takes 'extended break from football' due to illness |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/13/darren-fletcher-illness-manchester-united |work=guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=13 December 2011 }}</ref>

On 14 August 2012, Fletcher came on as a second-half substitute, taking the captain's armband, for Manchester United against [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] in [[Neil Simpson]]'s testimonial. He played his first competitive match in ten months, coming on as a substitute for [[Paul Scholes]] in the 78th minute in Manchester United's 1–0 win over [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] at [[Old Trafford]] in the [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]].<ref name="return" /> On 24 November, Fletcher scored his first goal since his illness, a header from a [[Wayne Rooney]] corner against [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261684/report |title=Man Utd 3-1 QPR |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref> On 17 January 2013, it was announced that Fletcher had undergone surgery aimed at resolving his condition, which would rule him out for the remainder of the season. The statement stressed that this was a "planned procedure undertaken at the optimal time" that required Fletcher to be in good health to be carried out.<ref name=ulcop/> In his May 2013 retirement speech following his final match at Old Trafford as Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson wished Fletcher a speedy recovery and return to football.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Alex Ferguson gives emotional farewell speech |url=http://www.givemefootball.com/344922-sir-alex-ferguson-gives-emotional-farewell-speech |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629092534/http://www.givemefootball.com/344922-sir-alex-ferguson-gives-emotional-farewell-speech |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2013 |publisher=Give Me Football.com |access-date=15 May 2013 }}</ref> A week later, it was revealed that his surgery had been a success and that Fletcher was on course to return to football in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher raring to go following successful bowel surgery|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10055042/Manchester-United-midfielder-Darren-Fletcher-raring-to-go-following-successful-bowel-surgery.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/10055042/Manchester-United-midfielder-Darren-Fletcher-raring-to-go-following-successful-bowel-surgery.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=13 May 2013 |access-date=15 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 15 December 2013, Fletcher made his first appearance for nearly a year when he came on as a substitute for Ryan Giggs in a 3–0 victory over Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite news |first=Henry |last=Winter |title=Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3: match report |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10517719/Aston-Villa-0-Manchester-United-3-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10517719/Aston-Villa-0-Manchester-United-3-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=15 December 2013 |access-date=15 December 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Another substitute appearance followed in the 2–0 League Cup win against Stoke City on 18 December, and on 26 December 2013, Fletcher made his first league start for 390 days in a 3–2 win away to [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Burrows |title=Darren Fletcher handed first Manchester United start in 390 days against Hull City |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/darren-fletcher-handed-first-manchester-2960253 |work=Mirror Online |publisher=Trinity Mirror |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=26 December 2013 }}</ref> He was named Manchester United vice-captain by [[Louis van Gaal]] in August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wayne Rooney named Manchester United's club captain by Louis van Gaal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/12/wayne-rooney-manchester-united-captain-louis-van-gaal |work=The Guardian |date=13 August 2014 |access-date=1 June 2017 }}</ref>

===West Bromwich Albion===
On 2 February 2015, Fletcher signed for [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31104346 |title=Darren Fletcher joins West Brom from Manchester United |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |first=David |last=Ornstein |date=3 February 2015 |access-date=3 February 2015}}</ref> He made his debut on 8 February 2015 against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], where he was given the [[Captain (association football)|captain]]'s armband.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burnley 2–2 West Brom |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31079374 |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=8 February 2015 |access-date=9 February 2015}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on 11 April 2015 against [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], although the Baggies lost 3–2.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32179968 |title=West Brom 2–3 Leicester |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 April 2015 |access-date=29 April 2015}}</ref> Between his debut for West Brom in February 2015 and the international break of October 2015, Fletcher did not miss a minute of Premier League football, marking fully his comeback from several illness-disrupted seasons.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Canavan|first1=Steve|last2=Sanghera|first2=Madneep|title=Sportsday - Rolling Football News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/33998097|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 October 2015|date=7 October 2015}}</ref>
He scored his second goal for West Brom on 28 December 2015, in a 1–0 win against Newcastle United.<ref>{{cite news|title=West Brom 1-0 Newcastle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35148468|access-date=29 December 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 December 2015}}</ref> Fletcher had to wait until the 2016–17 season for his next Premier League goal to come. It finally came in a 4–0 win against Burnley on 21 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37970618|title=West Bromwich Albion 4-0 Burnley|date=21 November 2016|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> He scored his second goal of the 2016–17 season on 21 January 2017, in a 2–0 win against Sunderland.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38620042|title=West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Sunderland|date=21 January 2017|work=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> A game against Stoke City, on 4 February 2017, marked his 300th game in the Premier League. Former manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed him as a "fantastic professional and fantastic human being."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2017/02/06/west-broms-300-game-star-darren-fletcher-hailed-by-sir-alex-ferguson/|title=West Brom's 300-game star Darren Fletcher hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson " Express & Star|website=www.expressandstar.com|language=en|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075703/http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2017/02/06/west-broms-300-game-star-darren-fletcher-hailed-by-sir-alex-ferguson/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Stoke City===
On 1 June 2017, Fletcher signed a two-year contract with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], effective from the expiration of his West Bromwich Albion contract on 1 July.<ref>{{cite news|title=Darren Fletcher: Stoke sign midfielder from West Brom|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40125487|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> He made his debut on 12 August as the team began their season with a 1–0 loss at Everton, playing the full 90 minutes. Local newspaper [[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|''The Sentinel'']] praised his passing in the match.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Spinks|first1=Martin|title=Everton 1 Stoke City 0 Match Comment: The moment which might define you as an optimist or pessimist|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/everton-1-stoke-city-0-327904|access-date=14 October 2017|newspaper=The Sentinel |date=15 August 2017}}</ref> Fletcher started in the first nine games of the [[2017–18 Premier League]] season for Stoke, extending a streak of consecutive league appearances to 100.<ref name="100 PL"/> He became the eighth outfield player to achieve this mark in the Premier League era.<ref name="100 PL">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41710786 |title=Premier League stats: Darren Fletcher joins elite club, plus Marcus Rashford v Wayne Rooney |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=23 October 2017 |access-date=25 October 2017 |first=Alex |last=Bysouth}}</ref> Fletcher scored his first goal for Stoke in a 1–0 win away at [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] on 28 October 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Watford 0-1 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41703862|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 October 2017}}</ref> Fletcher played 29 times in 2017–18 as Stoke suffered relegation to the [[EFL Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Swansea 1-2 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44020155|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=13 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="sb1718"/>

Fletcher struggled for playing time in [[2018–19 Stoke City F.C. season|2018–19]], making 11 appearances under [[Gary Rowett]] and then [[Nathan Jones (Welsh footballer)|Nathan Jones]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran midfielder to lead summer exodus at Stoke City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/darren-fletcher-stoke-city-transfer-2592217 |newspaper=The Sentinel |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="sb1819"/> He scored the only goal of the game against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] on 27 October 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bristol City 0-1 Stoke |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45923470 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> Fletcher left Stoke at the end of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Adam & Darren Fletcher: Stoke City midfielders to leave club at end of season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48124296 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=5 May 2019}}</ref>

After leaving Stoke, Fletcher began studying for coaching qualifications.<ref name=coach>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50521984 |title=Scotland: Darren Fletcher sees future in management but could 'possibly' play again |first=Stephen |last=Couse |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2019 |access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> He said in November 2019 that he had not officially retired from playing, and did not yet feel ready to begin a career in management.<ref name=coach/> In May 2020 he acknowledged that he "probably" wouldn't play again, and said that his medical condition (ulcerative colitis) meant that he would be at higher risk from [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52691309 |title=Darren Fletcher: Ex-Scotland captain would be hesitant to return to play given condition |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>

==International career==
Fletcher established himself as a regular choice for [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] during the 2003–04 season. He scored his first goal in a 1–0 win against [[Lithuania national football team|Lithuania]], having come off the bench for only his second [[cap (football)|cap]].<ref name="1-0 Lithuania">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/scotland/3165778.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Scotland battle past Lithuania|date=11 October 2003|access-date=2 January 2010}}</ref> His goal took Scotland to the play-offs for [[UEFA Euro 2004]]. On 26 May 2004, he captained Scotland to a 1–0 friendly win against [[Estonia national football team|Estonia]] in [[Tallinn]], making him the youngest Scotland captain since 17-year-old [[John Lambie (Queen's Park)|John Lambie]] in 1886.<ref name=CourageAndStrength/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://londonhearts.com/scotland/games/18860320.html|title=Sat 20 Mar 1886 Ireland 2 Scotland 7|access-date=27 November 2006|publisher=London Hearts}}</ref> Fletcher scored with a 25-yard strike in a 3–0 win against [[Slovenia national football team|Slovenia]] on 12 October 2005.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4324770.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Slovenia 0–3 Scotland |date=12 October 2005|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref>

Fletcher was Scotland's vice-captain under [[Alex McLeish]], deputising in the absence of regular captain [[Barry Ferguson]]. Fletcher was named as full-time captain in November 2009 when Ferguson was banned from international football for misbehaviour.<ref name=ScotsBuilt>{{cite news|title=Scots built for attack – Fletcher|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2009/11/14/darren-fletcher-will-be-scotland-skipper-now-and-stephen-mcmanus-understands-why-says-george-burley-86908-21820871/|work=Daily Record|access-date=23 November 2009}}</ref><ref name=ScotlandSkipper>{{cite news|title=Darren Fletcher will be my Scotland skipper from now on, says George Burley|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2009/11/14/darren-fletcher-will-be-scotland-skipper-now-and-stephen-mcmanus-understands-why-says-george-burley-86908-21820871/|work=Daily Record|access-date=23 November 2009}}</ref>

Fletcher earned his 50th cap in September 2010, in a [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]] match against [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/scotland/8970454.stm |title=Darren Fletcher set for Scotland half century |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=5 September 2010 |access-date=7 September 2016|first=Colin |last=Moffat}}</ref> His bouts of illness interrupted his international career, which meant that [[Scott Brown (footballer, born June 1985)|Scott Brown]] assumed the captaincy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/feb/05/scott-brown-scotland-captain |title=Gordon Strachan makes Scott Brown his first Scotland captain |work=The Guardian |date=5 February 2013 |access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref> Fletcher was recalled to the international squad for a friendly against [[Poland national football team|Poland]] in March 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12017/9173478/international-news-darren-fletcher-back-in-scotland-squad-after-battle-with-serious-illness |title=International news: Darren Fletcher back in Scotland squad after battle with serious illness |work=Sky Sports |date=19 February 2014 |access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref> He resumed the captaincy in September 2016, after Brown had temporarily retired from international football.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12017/10564426/darren-fletcher-glad-to-be-back-as-scotland-captain-ahead-of-malta-qualifier |title=Darren Fletcher glad to be back as Scotland captain ahead of Malta qualifier |first=Andy |last=Charles |work=Sky Sports |date=3 September 2016 |access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
In November 2019, Fletcher said he aspired to a future in management.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Couse |title=Scotland: Darren Fletcher sees future in management but could 'possibly' play again |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50521984 |website=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2019 |access-date=4 January 2021 }}</ref> In October 2020, Fletcher returned to Manchester United to coach their [[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy|under-16s players]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Marshall |title=Fletcher coaching United's under-16s |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/darren-fletcher-discusses-coaching-man-utd-under-16s |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=22 October 2020 |access-date=4 January 2021 }}</ref> and in January 2021, he was promoted to first-team coach.<ref>{{cite news |title=Darren Fletcher: Ex-Man Utd and Scotland midfielder joins first-team coaching staff |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55530906 |website=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2021 |access-date=4 January 2021 }}</ref> In March 2021, he became the technical director at Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56343774 |title=Manchester United: Darren Fletcher appointed technical director |website=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2021 }}</ref> He was replaced in this role by [[Jason Wilcox]] in April 2024, with United saying that Fletcher would "continue to play a key role in the football leadership team".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5385117/2024/04/19/jason-wilcox-manchester-united-latest/ |title=Manchester United appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director |website=The Athletic |date=19 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024 |first=Dan |last=Sheldon}}</ref>

In July 2025, Fletcher was appointed the Head Coach of the Under-18's Team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darren Fletcher appointed Man Utd Under-18s lead coach |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/darren-fletcher-appointed-man-utd-under-18s-lead-coach |access-date=2025-07-18 |website=www.manutd.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Style of play==
Fletcher usually played as [[central midfielder]] in a [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box role]], where he stood out for his physicality, tenacity, intelligence, and work-rate, as well as his energy and defensive ability, namely his tackling and marking. He was capable of playing anywhere in midfield, however, and also played as a [[right winger]], in a [[Midfielder#Holding midfielder|holding role]], and on occasion in defence; at international level, he also played in a more [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking role]], due to his ability to get forward, which earned him comparisons with [[Steven Gerrard]]. In 2009, [[Terry Butcher]] described Fletcher as a "complete midfielder, a rare all-rounder and although he's a slightly different player to [[Roy Keane]], he can become as great." He likened Fletcher to [[Bobby Charlton]], noting that he "can get games by the scruff of the neck and inject pace and tempo," also adding that "[h]e understands the game, reads it well, is improving all the time and United rely heavily on him." While Fletcher was initially criticised in the media for his poor positional sense, a lack of creativity in his game, and his tendency to give possession away carelessly early on in his career, he underwent a technical and tactical development, which enabled him establish himself successfully in a [[Midfielder#Deep-lying playmaker (Strolling 10)|deeper midfield role]], from which he could dictate the tempo of his team's play in midfield with his passing; his playing style in this position was influenced by one of his idols, [[Fernando Redondo]].<ref name="espn">{{cite web|title=Player Profile|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/8871/darren-fletcher?cc=5901|work=ESPN.com|access-date=26 February 2012|archive-date=17 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817011922/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/8871/darren-fletcher?cc=5901|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Taylor>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Louise |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/28/darren-fletcher-manchester-united-anchor |title=From mundane to marvellous: Darren Fletcher's startling transformation |work=The Guardian |date=28 August 2009 |access-date=4 March 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/7337223 |title=Fletcher slams midfield critics |publisher=Sky Sports |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=5 March 2020 }}</ref>

In May 2020, former teammate Rooney cited Fletcher as an important member of the successful 2006–09 United side, describing him as being as "vital" to the team as himself, [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], and [[Carlos Tevez]], and saying he sacrificed his own individual acclaim for the team.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ganley |first=Joe |url=https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ji-sung-park-was-just-as-important-to-man-utd-as-cristiano-ronaldo-says-rooney |title=Rooney: Park was as important as Ronaldo |publisher=Manchester United |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Fletcher was born and grew up in [[Mayfield, Midlothian]].<ref name=CourageAndStrength>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2011/12/14/darren-fletcher-has-the-courage-and-strength-to-beat-illness-says-ex-man-utd-mate-henning-berg-86908-23634158/|work=Daily Record|title=Darren Fletcher has the courage and strength to beat illness, says ex-Man Utd mate Henning Berg |date=14 December 2011|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2011/09/06/scotland-captain-darren-fletcher-it-s-scary-to-think-i-m-on-the-same-number-of-caps-as-legends-like-denis-law-and-billy-bremner-86908-23399864/|work=Daily Record|title=Scotland captain Darren Fletcher: It's scary to think I'm on the same number of caps as legends like Denis Law and Billy Bremner|date=6 September 2011|access-date=30 January 2012}}</ref>

He is the father of twin boys, [[Jack Fletcher (footballer, born 2007)|Jack]] and [[Tyler Fletcher|Tyler]] (born 2007) with his wife, Hayley Grice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.1460553.0.0.php|title=Scotland hopes|work=Sunday Herald|publisher=Newsquest|access-date=20 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010141420/http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.1460553.0.0.php|archive-date=10 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccerlens.com/babes/darren-fletcher-marries-hayley-grice/|title=Darren Fletcher marries Hayley Grice|first=Ahmed|last=Umair|work=Soccerlens.com|date=17 June 2010|access-date=17 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619000125/http://soccerlens.com/babes/darren-fletcher-marries-hayley-grice/|archive-date=19 June 2010}}</ref> The couple married in early June 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bourne|first=Dianne|date=2010-06-14|title=Darren Fletcher weds... without Reds|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-and-tv/darren-fletcher-weds-without-reds-891909|access-date=2021-01-15|website=Manchester Evening News|language=en}}</ref> Jack and Tyler are both in the [[Manchester United Academy|Manchester United academy]], having transferred from the [[Manchester City F.C. EDS and Academy|Manchester City academy]] in July 2023.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Dawson |date=22 July 2023 |accessdate=11 October 2023 |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38054391/manchester-united-signing-darren-fletcher-twin-sons-city-sources  |title=Man United signing Fletcher's twin sons from City - sources |website=ESPN}}</ref> They were both selected for the [[Scotland national under-16 football team|Scotland under-16]] squad in August 2022,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/two-hibs-players-named-in-scotland-u16-squad-for-denmark-friendlies-alongside-hearts-trio-3815370 |title=Two Hibs players named in Scotland U16 squad for Denmark friendlies alongside Hearts trio |first=Patrick |last=McPartlin |date=22 August 2022 |accessdate=23 August 2022 |newspaper=Edinburgh Evening News}}</ref> but later that season Jack was picked by the [[England national under-16 football team|England under-16]] squad and the two brothers played in a match against each other in February 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.stv.tv/sport/darren-fletchers-twin-sons-play-on-opposing-sides-in-england-v-scotland-clash |title=Darren Fletcher's twin sons play on opposing sides in Auld Enemy clash |website=STV News |first=Andy |last=Coyle |date=23 February 2023 |accessdate=23 February 2023}}</ref>

Fletcher was one of many footballers in the [[Manchester]] and [[Liverpool]] area whose homes were burgled while playing away games; burglars raided his house in February 2009 and held Grice at knifepoint.<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Walker |title=Robbers held knife to throat of Darren Fletcher's fiancee during raid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/24/darren-fletcher-fiance-knife-manchester-united |work=guardian.co.uk|publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=8 March 2009 }}</ref> The incident occurred while Fletcher was in [[Milan]] for Manchester United's Champions League fixture against Inter Milan.

Fletcher is involved in a programme to encourage "Deaf Friendly Football" for youngsters. The programme is run by the Manchester United Foundation and the [[National Deaf Children's Society]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Jonathan|last=Northcroft|title=Darren Fletcher: out of the shadows |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article5741098.ece|work=Times Online|publisher=Times Newspapers|access-date=8 March 2009|date=8 March 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

In 2014 Fletcher became an ambassador for the charity [[Crohn's and Colitis UK]] after recovering from surgery for [[ulcerative colitis]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ornstein |first1=David |title=Fletcher 'very fortunate to be here' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26060048 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2014}}</ref>

Fletcher is [[teetotalism|teetotal]].<ref name=Taylor />

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
|[[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2002|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|0||0||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name="UCL"|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
|[[2003–04 Manchester United F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2003|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||0||5||0||2||0||6{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||0||0||35||0
|-
|[[2004–05 Manchester United F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2004|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|18||3||3||0||3||0||5{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||1{{efn|name="FACS"|Appearance in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||30||3
|-
|[[2005–06 Manchester United F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2005|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|27||1||3||0||4||0||7{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||colspan="2"|—||41||1
|-
|[[2006–07 Manchester United F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2006|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||3||6||0||1||0||9{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||colspan="2"|—||40||3
|-
|[[2007–08 Manchester United F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2007|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|16||0||1||2||0||0||6{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||1{{efn|name="FACS"}}||0||24||2
|-
|[[2008–09 Manchester United F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2008|access-date=4 March 2021}}<br />For FIFA Club World Cup: {{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2008/12/18/world/fifa-club-world-cup/gamba-osaka/manchester-united-fc/730880/ |title=Gamba Osaka vs. Manchester United 3–5: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 March 2021}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2008/12/21/world/fifa-club-world-cup/liga-deportiva-universitaria-de-quito/manchester-united-fc/732000/ |title=LDU Quito vs. Manchester United 0–1: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|26||3||3||0||1||0||8{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||4{{efn|One appearance in FA Community Shield, one appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], two appearances and one goal in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||1||42||4
|-
|[[2009–10 Manchester United F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2009|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|30||4||0||0||3||0||7{{efn|name="UCL"}}||1||1{{efn|name="FACS"}}||0||41||5
|-
|[[2010–11 Manchester United F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2010|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|26||2||2||0||1||0||7{{efn|name="UCL"}}||1||1{{efn|name="FACS"}}||0||37||3
|-
|[[2011–12 Manchester United F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2011|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|8||1||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name="UCL"}}||1||0||0||10||2
|-
|[[2012–13 Manchester United F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2012|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|3||1||0||0||2||0||5{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||colspan="2"|—||10||1
|-
|[[2013–14 Manchester United F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2013|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|12||0||1||0||3||0||2{{efn|name="UCL"}}||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|[[2014–15 Manchester United F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="sb1415"/>
|Premier League
|11||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!223!!18!!25!!2!!20!!0!!66!!3!!8!!1!!342!!24
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|[[2014–15 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="sb1415">{{soccerbase season|21778|2014|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|15||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||15||1
|-
|[[2015–16 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2015|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|38||1||3||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||42||3
|-
|[[2016–17 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|21778|2016|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|38||2||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||40||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!91!!4!!4!!2!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!97!!6
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
|[[2017–18 Stoke City F.C. season|2017–18]]<ref name="sb1718">{{soccerbase season|21778|2017|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|Premier League
|27||1||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||1
|-
|[[2018–19 Stoke City F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref name="sb1819">{{soccerbase season|21778|2018|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|11||1||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!38!!2!!0!!0!!4!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!42!!2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!352!!24!!29!!4!!26!!0!!66!!3!!8!!1!!481!!32
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="NFT">{{NFT player|5787|name=Fletcher, Darren |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="14"|[[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
|2003||4||1
|-
|2004||9||1
|-
|2005||7||1
|-
|2006||7||1
|-
|2007||7||0
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
|2009||7||0
|-
|2010||6||0
|-
|2011||5||1
|-
|2012||3||0
|-
|2014||5||0
|-
|2015||3||0
|-
|2016||7||0
|-
|2017||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!80!!5
|}

:''Scotland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Fletcher goal.''<ref name="NFT"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Darren Fletcher
|- 
!No.!!Date!!Venue!!Cap!!Opponent!!Score!!Result!!Competition!!class="unsortable"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="center"|1||11 October 2003||[[Hampden Park]], Glasgow, Scotland||align="center"|2||{{fb|LTU}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|1–0||[[UEFA Euro 2004 qualification]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2003/10/11/europe/european-championship-qualification/scotland/lithuania/49274/ |title=Scotland vs. Lithuania 1–0: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|2||30 May 2004||[[Easter Road]], Edinburgh, Scotland||align="center"|8||{{fb|TRI}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|4–1||[[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/scotland/3760581.stm |title=Scotland 4–1 Trinidad |website=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2004 |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|3||12 October 2005||[[Arena Petrol]], Celje, Slovenia||align="center"|20||{{fb|SVN}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|3–0||[[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2005/10/12/europe/wc-qualifying-europe/slovenia/scotland/238709/ |title=Slovenia vs. Scotland 0–3: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|4||2 September 2006||[[Celtic Park]], Glasgow, Scotland||align="center"|25||{{fb|FRO}}||align="center"|1–0||align="center"|6–0||[[UEFA Euro 2008 qualification]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2006/09/02/europe/european-championship-qualification/scotland/faroe-islands/353981/ |title=Scotland vs. Faroe Islands 6–0: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align="center"|5||3 September 2011||[[Hampden Park]], Glasgow, Scotland||align="center"|55||{{fb|CZE}}||align="center"|2–1||align="center"|2–2||[[UEFA Euro 2012 qualification]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2011/09/03/europe/european-championship-qualification/scotland/czech-republic/914205/ |title=Scotland vs. Czech Republic 2–2: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
|}

==Honours==
'''Manchester United'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07]], [[2007–08 Premier League|2007–08]], [[2008–09 Premier League|2008–09]], [[2010–11 Premier League|2010–11]], [[2012–13 Premier League|2012–13]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1943/Darren-Fletcher/overview |title=Darren Fletcher: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2003–04 FA Cup|2003–04]]<ref name="facup04" />
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2009–10 Football League Cup|2009–10]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=McNulty|first1=Phil|title=Aston Villa 1 - 2 Man Utd|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8531179.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 March 2015|date=28 February 2010}}</ref>
*[[FA Community Shield]]: [[2003 FA Community Shield|2003]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3125653.stm|title = Man Utd win Community Shield|date = 10 August 2003}}</ref> [[2007 FA Community Shield|2007]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1|url=http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/match_data/match_sql.php?my_match_date=2007-08-05|publisher=MUFC Info|access-date=4 March 2015}}</ref> [[2008 FA Community Shield|2008]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United 0 Portsmouth 0|url=http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/match_data/match_sql.php?my_match_date=2008-08-10|publisher=MUFC Info|access-date=4 March 2015}}</ref> [[2010 FA Community Shield|2010]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Manchester United 3 Chelsea 1|url=http://www.mufcinfo.com/manupag/match_data/match_sql.php?my_match_date=2010-08-08|publisher=MUFC Info|access-date=4 March 2015}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League|2007–08]]<ref name="cl08" />
*[[FIFA Club World Cup]]: [[2008 FIFA Club World Cup|2008]]<ref name="hons">{{cite web|last1=Omstein|first1=David|title=Man United's Darren Fletcher explains ulcerative colitis illness|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26060048|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 March 2015|date=5 February 2014}}</ref>

'''Scotland U16s'''
* [[Victory Shield]]: [[1997–98 in Scottish football|1997–98]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://spfl.co.uk/news/inch-by-inch-in-every-minute-of-sky-sports-victory-shield-for-young-celt-higgins | title = INCH BY INCH IN EVERY MINUTE OF SKY SPORTS VICTORY SHIELD FOR YOUNG CELT HIGGINS | publisher = [[SPFL]] | date = 6 December 2013 | access-date = 19 May 2022 }}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy#Players of the Year|Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year]]: [[2002–03 Manchester United F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Bostock |title=De Laet's delight |url=http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2010/May/De-Laets-delight.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013055232/http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2010/May/De-Laets-delight.aspx |archive-date=13 October 2012 |website=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=4 May 2010 |access-date=21 January 2017 }}</ref>
*[[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Premier League Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year#Premier League 18|2009–10]]<ref name="toy" />
*[[Scottish FA International Roll of Honour]] inductee: 2010
*[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] Player of the Year: [[2015–16 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref>{{cite news |first=John |last=Percy |title=Darren Fletcher to be rewarded with new West Brom deal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/09/27/darren-fletcher-to-be-rewarded-with-new-west-brom-deal/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/09/27/darren-fletcher-to-be-rewarded-with-new-west-brom-deal/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 September 2016 |access-date=20 January 2017 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Scotland national football team captains]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{SFA profile}}
*{{UEFA player}}
*{{FIFA player}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| fg = navy
| bg = gold
| list1 = 
{{2009–10 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}
{{West Bromwich Albion F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, Darren}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Dalkeith]]
[[Category:Footballers from Midlothian]]
[[Category:Scottish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's B international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Scottish people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C. players]]
[[Category:Tynecastle F.C. players]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:Scottish football coaches]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:People educated at St David's Roman Catholic High School]]
[[Category:Association football technical directors]]
[[Category:People with ulcerative colitis]]
[[Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen]]