Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher to miss start of new season

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher expects to miss the start of the new Barclays Premier League season as he continues his rehabilitation from a bowel operation.

The 29-year-old has been battling ulcerative colitis for the past five years and underwent surgery in January as part of a “planned procedure”.

Asked on BBC Radio Five when he would be back, Fletcher replied: “Hopefully, not too long. I think I will just miss the beginning of the season.”

The Scotland captain took nine months out to see if his symptoms settled down before returning last September.

After appearing in three games out of four at the end of November, however, he was restricted to two brief substitute appearances.

“I’ve had it for five years but really struggled to control it for the last three years,” he said.

“Medication wasn’t helping me but surgery was the only solution if I wanted to have not only a future playing football but even a quality of life.”