Darren Fletcher insists Manchester United return will not be rushed

Darren Fletcher, Manchester United (Getty Images)

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Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has insisted he does not want to rush his return to Premier League action, after spending six weeks on the sidelines due to a virus.

Fletcher last featured in the 3-1 away defeat to Liverpool on March 6, and whilst playing in United’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal reserves on Thursday, the Scotsman will not return too hastily to the starting line-up despite boss Sir Alex Ferguson originally indicating he would.

Speaking to MUTV, Fletcher said: “The lads have done fantastic, it’s going to be hard to get back in that team. We’re in a great position with a month left and I want to give the manager another option and play some small part.

“It’s great to be back and get some minutes under my belt. The plan was always just to play 45 minutes because I’ve been out for such a long time, I don’t want to push too quickly and set myself back.

“It was a bad virus, originally it was supposed to be a week and it escalated. I lost a bit of weight and when you have to put the weight back on it’s a slow process, and what should have been a couple of weeks ended up being a lot longer.”

United face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, victory in which will see the Red Devils at least sustain their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League regardless of Chelsea’s result with Tottenham on Saturday.