Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has said that his fitness issues are finally behind him following his latest return to the first-team fold.
The Scotland international, who was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis back in November 2011, came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of yesterday's 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
"This is it, I'm back for good," he told MUTV. "I seem to have come through the setbacks and health issues and I'm thankful for that. It's onwards and upwards now.
"I always believed I would come back, I kept that mind-set. I think other people around me were trying to make me think otherwise, but I stayed strong and believed I would get back.
"Ever since I was a kid, I've wanted to play football. I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play for Manchester United and wasn't going to give that up lightly. I battled through it, and I'm only 29 years old, I think I've got plenty more years of playing left in me."
Fletcher had not played since featuring in a 4-3 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day last year.
Michael Penkman
