Darren Fletcher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Darren Fletcher

Fletcher with West Bromwich Albion in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Darren Barr Fletcher
Date of birth	(1984-02-01) 1 February 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth	Mayfield, Midlothian, Scotland
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Manchester United (Under-18s Lead Coach)
Youth career
	Hutchison Vale
	Tynecastle Boys Club
	Celtic Boys Club
1995–2003	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2015	Manchester United	223	(18)
2015–2017	West Bromwich Albion	91	(4)
2017–2019	Stoke City	38	(2)
Total		352	(24)
International career
2002	Scotland U20	2	(2)
2002–2003	Scotland U21	4	(0)
2003	Scotland B	1	(0)
2003–2017	Scotland	80	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Darren Barr Fletcher (born 1 February 1984) is a Scottish football coach and a former professional player. He is the lead coach for the under-18s team at Manchester United. Fletcher spent most of his playing career at Manchester United, where he won five Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League.

Fletcher was a talented midfielder. He started his career as a right winger but was best known for playing as a central midfielder. He also sometimes played in defence.

He joined Manchester United's youth team as a boy and went on to play 342 games for the club. In his final season, he was named the team's vice-captain. In 2015, he moved to West Bromwich Albion and later played for Stoke City.

Fletcher also played for the Scotland national team, earning 80 caps and becoming the team's captain. His career was interrupted by a serious illness called ulcerative colitis, but he bravely returned to football after treatment and surgery. After retiring as a player, he returned to Manchester United to begin his coaching career.

Club Career

Manchester United

Joining the Club

Fletcher grew up near Edinburgh, Scotland. He played for local youth clubs before joining the Manchester United youth academy at age 11. He was so talented that he almost made his first-team debut at age 16, but league rules at the time didn't allow it.

He was first seen as a right midfielder, like the famous David Beckham. However, injuries delayed his start. He finally made his first-team debut on 12 March 2003 in a UEFA Champions League match against Basel.

Becoming a Key Player

During the 2003–04 season, Fletcher became a regular player for Manchester United. He helped the team win the FA Cup Final against Millwall. On New Year's Day in 2005, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory over Middlesbrough.

One of his most famous goals came in November 2005. He scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Chelsea, ending their 40-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League.

Fletcher playing for Manchester United in 2009

Over the next few seasons, Fletcher became one of the most important midfielders at the club. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson trusted him in big games. In the 2007–08 season, he was part of the squad that won both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Peak Years and Disappointment

The 2008–09 season was one of Fletcher's best. He signed a new contract and scored important goals. However, in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, he received a red card. This meant he was suspended and had to miss the final, which was a huge disappointment.

The next season, Fletcher was a star player in United's midfield. For his excellent performances, he was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 2009–10. He was also made the team's vice-captain.

Illness and Comeback

In 2011, Fletcher's career was put on hold. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a long-term illness that affects the digestive system. He had to take a long break from football to focus on his health.

After trying to return, he had surgery in January 2013. Many people thought his career might be over. But Fletcher showed incredible determination. He made his comeback on 15 December 2013, almost a year after his last game. His return was an inspiration to many fans.

West Bromwich Albion

In February 2015, Fletcher joined West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer. He was immediately made the team captain. He became a very reliable player for the team, proving he had fully recovered from his illness. He played 97 games for West Brom, scoring six goals.

Stoke City

Fletcher moved to Stoke City in June 2017. He played for the club for two seasons. In 2017, he played his 100th consecutive league game, showing his amazing fitness and dedication. He left Stoke in 2019 and began to prepare for a career in coaching.

International Career

Fletcher was a key player for the Scotland national team for many years. He made his debut in 2003 and scored the winning goal in only his second match, which helped Scotland reach the play-offs for UEFA Euro 2004.

In 2004, at the age of 20, he became the youngest player to captain Scotland in over 100 years. He was later named the full-time captain in 2009. In total, Fletcher played 80 times for his country and scored five goals.

Coaching Career

After his playing career ended, Fletcher returned to Manchester United in October 2020. He started as a coach for the under-16s team. He was quickly promoted to a first-team coach in January 2021.

In March 2021, he was given the important role of technical director at the club. In this job, he helped with the club's football strategy. In July 2025, Fletcher was appointed the Head Coach of Manchester United's Under-18s team.

Personal Life

Fletcher was born and grew up in Mayfield, a town near Edinburgh, Scotland. He is married to Hayley Grice, and they have twin sons, Jack and Tyler. Both of his sons are talented football players and are in the Manchester United academy.

Fletcher is also known for his charity work. He is an ambassador for Crohn's and Colitis UK, a charity that helps people with the same illness he had. He also supports a program for deaf children who want to play football.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honours

Manchester United

• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
• FA Cup: 2003–04
• Football League Cup: 2009–10
• FA Community Shield: 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

Individual

• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2009–10
• Scottish FA International Roll of Honour inductee: 2010
• West Bromwich Albion Player of the Year: 2015–16

Images for kids

• 

  Fletcher in September 2009

See also

In Spanish: Darren Fletcher para niños

• List of Scotland national football team captains