Darren Fletcher, who admitted he considered leaving Manchester United(credit:
wikipedia)
Midfielder says only chat with manager in 2008 kept him at Old Trafford
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that as recently as 2008, he considered quitting Old Trafford, as he had become disillusioned over a lack of game time.
The midfielder was left on the bench for United’s 2008 Champions League final triumph over Chelsea, and with only a year left to run on his contract, he sought a discussion with Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss his future.
The Scot said:
"I was still having doubts because I was in a fairly strong position with only a year left to run on my contract,
"If there was a time to leave it would have been a good opportunity.
"But the manager came to me. The contract talk was put to one side and our discussion was mainly about playing time.
"He said there had been offers but he didn't want me to go.
"I listened to what he had to say and just decided I did have a future at the club. Fortunately it turned out that way."
The midfielder, who has been in excellent form over the past two years, now feels happy at the club, and added that he would like to remain with the Red Devils for the remainder of his career:
"Deep down I just wanted to show what I was capable of,
"It was never a case of going on to the pitch worried but maybe it wasn't coming across on the pitch.
"I would have hated to leave having not shown people what I could do.
"That would have been a genuine disappointment, something I would have looked back on and regretted.
"That is what drove me on and what I want to keep maintaining now because I want to be here for the rest of my career and leave some sort of mark on the club."
Fletcher is 18/1 (PaddyPower) to open the scoring tonight, when United take on West Ham at Old Trafford.