Darren Fletcher laid low

Manchester United have confirmed
Darren Fletcher is to take an extended
break from football due to health
reasons.
The Scotland midfielder and captain
missed two months towards the end of
last season due to illness and also sat
out United's pre-season tour to North
America.
He returned to action for his national
team in September's Euro 2012
qualifiers and has gone on to make 10
club appearances this season.
However, the 27-year-old has been
battling a chronic inflammatory bowel
condition throughout the past nine
months and a club statement said:
"Over the past year Darren has had
several absence periods which we
have attributed to a viral illness in
order to respect his right to medical
confidentiality.
"He 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 his 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."