Moyes Delighted By Midfielder's Recovery and Return

Manchester United manager David Moyes is delighted with Darren Fletcher's progress in his recovery from illness.

Fletcher has been suffering from ongoing problems resulting from a bowel condition called ulcerative colitis. He was unable to play for the second half of the 2011-12 season and though he made a comeback the campaign afterwards, his last competitive appearance for United was on Boxing Day in 2012.

The 29 year old has continued working hard to stay in the mix for another return and after playing 67 minutes against Fulham for United's Under 21 side Moyes says he couldn't be more delighted to have the star back on track for a return.

"It is great to get Darren back," the manager told Sky Sports. "It was the first time he pulled on a jersey in a competitive reserve league game (since the operation) and we're really pleased.

"We will bring him along, his training is coming along well, but we don't want to do anything that might give him a setback.

"It is a sort of steady, slow grind for him just now.

"But we are pleased and hope to involve him in the upcoming reserve games in the weeks to come, if he continues to do as well as he is doing now."

Fletcher's illness has been particularly difficult for the one-club man as there is no known medical cure.

But his return to training and participation in some competitive football once more has given the United faithful hope that they will see the man who has spent nearly two decades at the club return and offer more much-needed depth in midfield.