Time Is Right for Valencia Target Darren Fletcher to Cut Manchester United Ties

Since starting Manchester United's first three Premier League matches under new manager Louis van Gaal (a loss and two draws), Darren Fletcher has been relegated to an insignificant role at the club he joined as an 11-year-old in 1995.

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This is despite a return to consistent availability following a lengthy battle with ulcerative colitis and his position of vice-captain at Old Trafford.

According to AS, La Liga outfit Valencia are keen to bring him to Spain, with sporting director Francisco Rufete having reportedly contacted the Scotland skipper about a transfer.

It could be that Ian Cathro—Valencia's Scottish assistant coach—was at least partially involved in making contact with Fletcher, and given that he has the ear of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, whom he followed to the Mestalla from Rio Ave during the summer, it's likely the transaction already has the necessary blessing.

Fletcher, incidentally, will be out of contract in June and can therefore negotiate with various clubs about a free transfer. West Ham are also thought to be interested and, as per John Percy of The Telegraph, would be willing to pay £1.5 million to land the midfielder before the end of the month. As would Valencia.

The Scotsman's Alan Pattullo has also linked the 30-year-old to both Celtic and West Bromwich Albion, and in an interview with the outlet, Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee opined that Fletcher is surely on the lookout for regular, first-team football.

"He is a good trainer, but he likes playing," he said. "I don't think he is a lad who wants to be sitting on the bench.

Each alternative would no doubt provide more playing time than he's currently getting at United, but it's the prospect of a Valencia switch that's especially intriguing.

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Since his appointment in July, Nuno has gone about transforming a cheerless side into something considerably more positive. He's an optimist, an encourager and the atmosphere of a happy dressing room—nevermind the Mediterranean environment—must be appealing to a veteran footballer in the latter years of his career.

Nuno also happens to need a bit of depth at the defensive midfield position, and Fletcher would be guaranteed minutes as a result.

It has every appearance of being a good fit as well as a mutually beneficial one, and the five-time Premier League winner could hardly be blamed if he thought now was the right time to cut his ties at United.

Not only is the club in a state of administrational flux, but a tactical, on-field one as well. And Fletcher doesn't seem to have a long-term place in it.

But he does have options and more of them than he's likely to be presented with again. This is his best moment to say goodbye and take on a new and exciting challenge.