Future Rests With United´s Mayfield Midfielder
Roy Keane believes United´s 20-year-old Scottish international Darren Fletcher can take over the midfield mantle at Old Trafford in years to come.
United´s influential captain believes the long-term future of the Reds´ midfield is in safe hands with the likes of Fletcher and Ronaldo already making their mark on the first team as teenagers.
Ronaldo´s emergence this season has been as sudden as Fletcher´s has been gradual since signing for United as a 16-year-old schoolboy.
" There is a very good balance of players coming through, a really good mix," Keane told ManUtd.com. " People at the club have had great hopes for Darren Fletcher over the last year, and he’s certainly not disappointed anyone."
For Fletcher the landmarks have come thick and fast in the last year; a debut in the Champions League against FC Basel 13 months ago must seem like an age away. Now a regular in the squads of club and country, Fletcher´s progression continues at pace - one of his most mature displays came in the FA Cup semi final win over Arsenal.
There is still plenty to do, however. " The manager has put Darren on the right of midfield this season," says Keane. " But he has also played in the centre a few times – even against Arsenal.
" Fletch has said himself that central midfield is his favoured position. And I think the manager is perhaps waiting for him to get a little bit stronger with a few more games under his belt before he slots him in there more regularly.
" Young Darren has been excellent this year and I´m sure soon enough he´ll be pushing for a regular place."
Roy Keane
Audio: Keane on the future at United
" There are the likes of me, Scholesy, Butty and Djemba-Djemba who will try and keep him out the wings for another year or two!
" But, he’s probably looking to settle into my position, that’s the problem,” says Roy smiling. “Darren has been excellent this year, though, and I’m sure soon enough he’ll be pushing for a regular place."
Born in Mayfield, just outside Edinburgh, Fletcher was first spotted by United playing for Celtic Boys Club at just 12 years old. A brief spell at Rangers preceded his arrival at Old Trafford on his 16th birthday.
Fletcher was scheduled to play a part in United´s last game of the 1999/2000 season against Aston Villa, but the Premier League blocked it because he was too young.
The following season sparked a series of injuries as the youngster went through a growth-spurt causing him to miss large chunks of the following two seasons. But, thankfully, his career is beginning to blossom; Fletcher´s patience and his manager´s guidance starting to pay off.
Keane highlights Fletcher among a posse of young players to make a marked improvement this year. Kieran Richardson and Chris Eagles have laid claim to first team involvement with some polished performances in the reserves, while those closer to the first team fold will all have profited from what has been a challenging season.
" The lads brought in, like Ronaldo, will all benefit from their first season. Djemba-Djemba is a strong, young midfielder and I think he will do very well at United. David Bellion; he’s done well in flashes and of course Tim Howard has come in and performed. Kleberson has had a difficult first few months with injuries and settling in, but I’m sure he’ll be fine with this first season under his belt.”
However, complacency can hamper any young player´s development and Keane warns the likes of Fletcher and Ronaldo in particular that the hard work has only just begun.
”From the youth side of it, we shouldn’t be too worried,” said Keane. “But, I’m sure the manager will be looking for players again this summer to keep everyone on their toes, and rightly so.”
