Fergie fury as Fletch faces long lay-off

Out for 6 weeks
By Chris,
March 28 2008

Darren Fletcher faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury for Scotland. The midfielder limped off during the Scots' 1-1 draw against Croatia at Hampden Park. The news has left Sir Alex Ferguson furious and he's described the latest set of international friendlies as futile.

Darren Fletcher played 90 minutes for Scotland on Wednesday evening - and now faces a six-week spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury.

With United chasing a seventeenth league crown, Fergie has been left fuming that one of his midfielders will miss the rest of the season.

"We've had a bad blow with Darren and it emphasises the futility of playing these friendly games," said Ferguson.

"He should have played for 45 or 60 minutes at most, but he played the full game so he's out for six weeks. It's a bad blow for us and it's crazy. Supporters will stop going to these kind of games.

"They have the whole of the end of May, too. England have fixtures against Trinidad and the USA and I think every manager knows that they're a waste of time."

Scotland drew the game 1-1 with Kenny Miller equalising for the home side.