His presence in the Manchester United first team has been limited by the chronic bowel irritation, which is likely to make him retire from football at the end of the season. It has been two years since the onset of the problem and Fletcher has been unable to find recovery up until now. Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United will be receiving 40 medals from the Premier league after having won the 20th league title in their history. This will be handed out to the players chosen by Ferguson, and he has confirmed that Fletcher will be one of them.

The defender, Alexander Buttner, who was also signed in the summer will be the second recipient of the medal.

“I think that’s fair because, in Darren Fletcher’s case for instance, it’s only illness which has prohibited him from getting a medal. I’m sure if he’d been available he would have been sitting here with one. Buttner’s been great because he’s travelled to every away game with us, he’s been involved in every single training session, he’s played three times and been a substitute another 10 times, something like that. They will get medals. They give you an allocated number of medals and it’s up to you to distribute them how you want,” said Ferguson.

Darren Fletcher Video clip Score: / 5

Darren Fletcher Online video Ranking: / five

Darren Fletcher Video Ranking: five / five

However, he will miss the rest of the season after he has undergone a surgery that had been planned earlier. Fletcher last appeared for Manchester United in the 4-3 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day. United have said that they are extremely confident that the players will return to first-team action from the start of next season. Meanwhile, the Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has praised the midfielder for the commitment and pride he shows when it comes to playing for his country. The new manager will have certainly welcomed the presence of Fletcher for the World Cup qualifiers, but he is now going to be unavailable.

“Darren Fletcher will be unavailable for the remainder of this season having undergone surgery to resolve his ulcerative colitis condition. We wish to stress this was a planned procedure undertaken at the optimal time having achieved a period of sustained good general health, as illustrated by the fact that Darren has trained with the team regularly this season and been available for selection right up to the operation. This decision has been taken with our full support in the best interests of his long-term health and we look forward to him returning next season with this problem firmly behind him,” said the United statement.

Darren Fletcher Video clip Ranking: five / 5

Darren Fletcher Video Rating: / five

Darren Fletcher is expected to be one of the senior members of the squad who will take part in this match in the hope of building his fitness, as he has just returned to first team action after more than a year out with an injury. The likes of Nick Powell are expected to take part in this match. Fletcher has already said that he is extremely impressed with the 18-year-old Nick Powell, who made his debut in the European competition in the previous match against Galatasaray. Manchester United had lost the match 1-0, but they will be hoping for a much better performance from the youngsters this time around.

“I thought we were unfortunate to lose that match. We played a couple of young players and put in a good performance. It will have been massive for Nick Powell’s development. Nick is a fantastic player already. He is still relatively young but he is going to be a huge player for United. There is no doubt about that,” said Darren Fletcher ahead of the match. United are in a great position to try out a number of new players and also hand some playing time to some of the lesser used first-team players.

Darren Fletcher Video clip Rating: 5 / 5

They have been trying to emulate the Barcelona way by adopting a passing style of football, which is extremely easy on the eye according to Darren Fletcher. Chelsea also now have lot of quick players unlike before when their players used to be only about power and strength. Even though the team is now more enjoyable, Darren Fletcher a lot of opportunities to score goals against Chelsea because they are more exposed at the back. The defensive style of football brought in by the former manager José Mourinho is well and truly over due to the departure of key players from that era like Didier Drogba.

“It used to be a big, strong, physical side. You found yourself playing against Ballack, Makélelé and Lampard [who is likely to miss Sunday's game with a calf injury] in midfield and Drogba up front. Now you tend to be facing more Barcelona-style players – the small, intricate ones who get in the pockets behind you and play the killer pass. Because they are looking to get into the pockets behind you, you are not really up against anyone,” said the 28-year-old, who has just returned to first team action.