Darren Fletcher to take an extended break

Manchester United's midfielder Darren Fletcher is confirmed to take an 'extended break' after being dignosed of ulcerative colitis [a chronic inflammatory bowel condition]

The disease was described by the club as a virus for the past nine months. Fletcher was forced to miss 12 first-team fixtures between March and May of last season and to take short breaks from time to time following the initial outbreak of the condition.

Darren Fletcher will take an extended break

According to medical experts, the disease lead to severe complications and potential steroid treatment which could contravene football’s drug-testing policy.

"Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, for some time preceding this [last year]," a club statement said. "While he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period, this has proved more difficult recently and Darren's continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his health and fitness.

"He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford himself the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again."

Professor Chris Probert, a consultant gastroenterologist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, said: “I would be very surprised if he could perform at the same level with this condition. He must have been extremely fit to have been able to play for as long as he has with the symptoms of the condition."

The 27-rear-old Scot has made 302 appearances for United and won 58 international caps. The news is a big blow for the club especially when his teammate Nemanja Vidic was also ruled out for nine months with a ruptured cruciate ligament. Sir Alex Ferguson is now likely to recruit some players in January.