By Matt Davis
Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand believes Darren Fletcher has played his last game for the Premier League champions, with injuries and illness restricting his career.
The 29-year-old has not featured since December due to his ulcerative colitis condition, and according to the 1968 European Cup winner, he will not feature for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side again.
Crerand told beyondthepitch.net: “I love Darren Fletcher and I hate to say this, but I wouldn’t expect to see him playing again for Manchester United. It’s a dreadful thing to say and I hope I’m totally wrong, but I don’t think I’m going to be wrong.
“He’s not been heard of, he’s not played anywhere, he’s not done anything and I think it would be a miracle if he did come back. [Especially] for somebody for whom fitness has been the main thing in their life, because to be a professional footballer you have to be immensely fit, more so than most sports.
“I think, outside of boxing it’s the fittest sport of the lot of them. So for not to be able to do that and keep yourself [in shape]. Even at my age, how stupid I am, I’m in the gym every day.”
