AS I write this, it looks likely that Darren Fletcher will be departing Manchester United on a free transfer, most likely either to join West Ham United or Valencia. It’s a shame that a player with such long service wasn’t able to complete that rare feat in today’s game of ending a glittering career with only one club on his CV. Having been at Manchester United since he was a youth, there must have been moments when that target felt within reach.

It must be all the more disappointing for Fletcher when he had overcome an early hurdle – the initial ambivalence of the United fans towards his talents. Sir Alex Ferguson probably didn’t do him any favours earlier in his career by breaking him into the side playing wide on the right – a position in which his technique would be compared to the likes of David Beckham in the crossing department and Cristiano Ronaldo (or even Ryan Giggs or Andrei Kanchelskis) in dribbling.

In fact, Fletcher’s true ability came through when he was moved into a central midfield role. He could hold his position, win the ball and distribute it calmly and appropriately. It may not sound hugely sexy but there are plenty of former Real Madrid Galacticos still lamenting the way their medal-accumulation ground to a halt when Claude Makelele was allowed to join Chelsea all those years ago.

Fletcher could also be seen as having a touch of Gary McAllister about him. Not so much in terms of technique, McAllister’s touch and dead-ball abilities would elevate him above Fletcher in that area. What I’m thinking of is in terms of the attitude of Scotland fans towards him. Fletcher doesn’t provoke quite the same reaction as McAllister did towards the end of his time in dark blue but an undercurrent remains.

Being a Manchester United player – and for many years a key one at that – has meant the expectations around Fletcher have sometimes been unrealistic. When playing in a side that had periods of dominating the English Premier League and reaching Champions League finals, it was felt that he should, by default, be some kind of footballing equivalent of a Harlem Globetrotter when stepping onto the field at Hampden.

In fact, meaning no disrespect in saying this, I’d see Fletcher as having been a cog in Ferguson’s superb machine at United. A cog of high precision and quality serving an essential purpose but a cog nonetheless. Hence, your performance will always look that bit less spectacular when you’ve won the ball but no longer have the option of Ronaldo making that run that you know he’d be making.

The key should be in understanding that when Fletcher has turned out in a Scotland jersey he’s displayed the same positional sense, responsibility, work-rate and, yes, ability that he’s shown for Manchester United over the years.

He’s a fantastic example for young players in the way that he goes about his job – as well as in the actual job that he performs.

I’ve also got this far without mentioning the health issues that he’s had to overcome simply to continue playing football. I mentioned the early hurdle of fan reaction but perhaps the stop-start nature of his career over the last few years has proved one challenge too much.

It’s still a testament to him that he’s been able to achieve what he has despite his difficulties though.

Whichever club he opts for, I hope that he goes on displaying the same spirit and ability in their jersey – and also in a Scotland one – for a number of years yet.

Agree or disagree with what Teddy has written? You can tweet him @RossTeddyCraig or online via his website, ascottishwriter.com AS I write this, it looks likely that Darren Fletcher will be departing Manchester United on a free transfer, most likely either to join West Ham United or Valencia. It’s a shame that a player with such long service wasn’t able to complete that rare feat in today’s game of ending a glittering career with only one club on his CV. Having been at Manchester United since he was a youth, there must have been moments when that target felt within reach.

It must be all the more disappointing for Fletcher when he had overcome an early hurdle – the initial ambivalence of the United fans towards his talents. Sir Alex Ferguson probably didn’t do him any favours earlier in his career by breaking him into the side playing wide on the right – a position in which his technique would be compared to the likes of David Beckham in the crossing department and Cristiano Ronaldo (or even Ryan Giggs or Andrei Kanchelskis) in dribbling.

In fact, Fletcher’s true ability came through when he was moved into a central midfield role. He could hold his position, win the ball and distribute it calmly and appropriately. It may not sound hugely sexy but there are plenty of former Real Madrid Galacticos still lamenting the way their medal-accumulation ground to a halt when Claude Makelele was allowed to join Chelsea all those years ago.

Fletcher could also be seen as having a touch of Gary McAllister about him. Not so much in terms of technique, McAllister’s touch and dead-ball abilities would elevate him above Fletcher in that area. What I’m thinking of is in terms of the attitude of Scotland fans towards him. Fletcher doesn’t provoke quite the same reaction as McAllister did towards the end of his time in dark blue but an undercurrent remains.

Being a Manchester United player – and for many years a key one at that – has meant the expectations around Fletcher have sometimes been unrealistic. When playing in a side that had periods of dominating the English Premier League and reaching Champions League finals, it was felt that he should, by default, be some kind of footballing equivalent of a Harlem Globetrotter when stepping onto the field at Hampden.

In fact, meaning no disrespect in saying this, I’d see Fletcher as having been a cog in Ferguson’s superb machine at United. A cog of high precision and quality serving an essential purpose but a cog nonetheless. Hence, your performance will always look that bit less spectacular when you’ve won the ball but no longer have the option of Ronaldo making that run that you know he’d be making.

The key should be in understanding that when Fletcher has turned out in a Scotland jersey he’s displayed the same positional sense, responsibility, work-rate and, yes, ability that he’s shown for Manchester United over the years.

He’s a fantastic example for young players in the way that he goes about his job – as well as in the actual job that he performs.

I’ve also got this far without mentioning the health issues that he’s had to overcome simply to continue playing football. I mentioned the early hurdle of fan reaction but perhaps the stop-start nature of his career over the last few years has proved one challenge too much.

It’s still a testament to him that he’s been able to achieve what he has despite his difficulties though.

Whichever club he opts for, I hope that he goes on displaying the same spirit and ability in their jersey – and also in a Scotland one – for a number of years yet.

Agree or disagree with what Teddy has written? You can tweet him @RossTeddyCraig or online via his website, ascottishwriter.com