Fletcher still takes nothing for granted and will fight on

Darren Fletcher isn’t your average footballer.

The midfielder has shown amazing courage throughout his career with Manchester United.

But that now looks to be coming to an end. Louis van Gaal is rebuilding his side and Darren looks surplus to requirements.

If they gave out medals for tenacity, the Scot would have one of the biggest trophy cabinets in the country.

And you wouldn’t bet against him going on to have a few more highlights during his life after Old Trafford.

His battle to overcome ulcerative colitis won him admirers throughout the game. But things weren’t easy for him before he was struck down by health problems.

The fans didn’t always warm to him during his early days with the Reds, and I know how discouraging it can be to get a bit of stick from those supporters.

There was never any sign, however, that Fletcher would take the easy option and make the move to a club where the spotlight was less intense.

Even Roy Keane having a pop didn’t put him off his stride.

We’ve seen plenty of players who find it difficult to cope with all the scrutiny that accompanies life at a top club.

Of course, Fletcher had Sir Alex Ferguson as one of his biggest supporters, and that was a

tremendous help.

Fergie always kept faith with his man and that was repaid in spades. Fletcher became one of United’s unsung heroes and spent an extended spell as a first pick.

I wasn’t surprised by the way he fought against illness to carry on playing. Few of us will ever forget the courage he showed to play for Scotland when he was clearly suffering.

This is a man who wants to squeeze as much as can from his time as a footballer. He appreciates that he’s in a privileged position and takes nothing for granted.

His bank account won’t be in the same league as former United stars like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, but he’s still a very wealthy young man.

It would be very easy for him to sit tight at the Red Devils, see his contract out and then put his feet up. These days we see some players quite happy to hang up the boots early and rest on their laurels. That’s not for Fletcher.

So it seems his 19-year-spell at Old Trafford is over, and I hope he can show his undoubted ability at another club.

Fletcher is a tremendous role model during an era when they are thin on the ground.