Darren Fletcher : Underrated, Or Not Good Enough?

With another 'Superman' performance at the San Siro last night, how many more times will he have to prove he is up there with the top notch of players?

Darren Fletcher, a product of United's youth academy, has been quite a regular starter this season. And yesterday, he showed why he is considered a 'Big Game' player. With two assists, he was one of the best United players on the pitch, if not "THE". Not to forget his work rate, chasing down opposition players, he slid in numerous tackles and disrupted the Milan attack time and time again.

He's showed again and again, with several stupendous performances, that he fully deserves to be in the United line-up. He may not be as naturally gifted as Carrick, who is one of the best passers, but always fails to deliver at the crunch stage. He may not also be as skilled as Anderson, or as experienced as the veteran Scholes, but he is definitely one of the best readers of the game. Also, the amount of effort he puts in, and the way he runs off his socks for the United jersey, cannot be matched by the other United midfielders.

Yet, he is not as touted as Anderson or Carrick. His performances go quite un-noticed. Maybe because he doesn't score that often, or does not show a lot of tricks. But, he is one of the most consistent United midfielders. He never disappoints, and rarely has a  bad game. Also, his work rate is exemplary, and would carry his job without nonsense. He'd run all day for the United jersey, breaking the opposition attacks, and joining United attacks as well.

Not to forget he can play in a number of positions too. Apart from the Centre Midfield, his natural position, he has also been used as a Side Midfielder, a Side Back, and as a Centre Back lately. Yet, he has mostly, if not always, come up with the goods.

Bullyish - he may be, as Wenger said, but he is undoubtedly one of the unsung United heroes. No one would sweat more for the United jersey as he does.