Fletcher’s return is timely blessing for Moyes

The combative, organised Scot’s presence has been badly missed by Man Utd.

Darren Fletcher’s return from injury is an early Christmas present for Davie Moyes.

That’s the view of Scotland coach Gordon Strachan, who predicts the midfielder will give Manchester United, and their manager, a massive lift.

“I think they have really missed him,” said the man who starred for the Red Devils in the 1980s.

“Darren is the one player they have got just now who can actually pull team-mates about the place.

“He will say you go here and you go there and get them organised. There have been a lot of people asking, what is the matter with United this season?

“For me that is one of their problems.

“I know my view might raise some eyebrows but if you take a look you will see Sir Alex Ferguson picked him in all their crunch games.”

Ferguson’s confidence in Fletcher hasn’t always been appreciated by all the Old Trafford support.

Claims of preferential treatment for his countryman, though, are dismissed by the national coach.

“I don’t think the fact he is Scottish has ever made any difference at all,” he said.

“It has been proved over the years through his selections that Sir Alex picks players on merit. I don’t think there can be any doubt about that.

“Darren is a guy with a big presence. He is someone, I would imagine, other players would look up to.

“He has that bit of confidence about him but also a bit of humility which is a combination I think you find in all great players. These guys embrace other people.

“That is what Darren does, certainly. He is not daft; he knows that having other good players around makes him better as well.”

That may be, but the bottom line for Manchester United and Scotland is that Fletcher will improve their prospects.

“I think he will improve them and I think he will make us better,” said Strachan. “It won’t just be the first team either but everyone in the squad.

“Imagine what it would be like for the young boys we have had along training with us over the last couple of months, Chris Johnston and Andrew Robertson, to play alongside someone like him it doesn’t get better.”

Strachan warns, though, that a future dip in Fletcher’s energy levels is to be expected.

“Listen, right now Darren will run about,” he said. “If you have been out a long time you get that initial rush of adrenaline that keeps you going.

“What you have to watch out for is the next reaction after a month when you start to get tired, when it all catches up on you. Adrenaline keeps you going for a wee while but then you get tired and start thinking, hey this is hard.

“The excitement is not there anymore. You are back to normal. One you get over that reaction you are fine.

“For the moment we should just count our blessings and enjoy the fact Darren is back playing football again.”