The 2011/12 Gary Speed Memorial Thread

[Lineker]

Give it a rest already!

What is Fletcher's disease?

[Clawson]

The second incident is definitely an issue of Yaya looking to apologize. You see the tap on the head or handshake as the way to do that all the time in games. It's just Mata didn't want to hear it cause he was still mad about the kick/love tap while he was on the ground.

Edited December 13, 2011 by Clawson

[Marcos]

Nothing in either incident. Well I wouldn't have booked him for either the slap or the kick. But that may be because I've grown up watching Scottish football. Both incidents are just banter between players, these things happen every game.

[Summers]

Simples for simples.

Didn't say it was violent.

Didn't say he slapped/hit him.

His hand, however, does push into his head. Mata does swot it away, but its still a push. It is improper conduct and we have seen players sent off for less.

That, coupled with the kick, is the issue. He kicks him. Then does that. He gets away with both.

[Lineker]

Here's the full story on Fletcher:

Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is taking an extended break from football due to a serious stomach illness.

A United statement said the 27-year-old is suffering from ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.

His last game was in the Champions League against Benfica on 22 November, when he scored.

The club said Fletcher had "accepted medical advice to take an extended break".

He is taking that break "in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again".

The statement added: "Darren's continued desire to play and his loyalty to both club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.

"We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery."

Fletcher signed a new four-year deal until 2015 with United in March.

United defender Rio Ferdinand said on Twitter: "We are going to miss two big players in Fletcher and [Nemanja] Vidic. I hope they both come back fitter and stronger than ever."

Fletcher made only one start for United last term after 1 March and was an unused substitute for the 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona. He has made 10 appearances in all competitions for United during the current campaign.

Fletcher's absence is another blow to United's season, which suffered a huge setback last week when the club were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage for only the third time in 16 years.

The Scotland international's illness leaves United manager Sir Alex Ferguson with another problem in the champions' troublesome area of midfield.

The club's only fit, specialist midfielders are Michael Carrick, Park Ji-sung, Darron Gibson and Ryan Giggs. They also have the versatile Phil Jones, plus reserve midfielders Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison as other options.

Their injured list in midfield includes Anderson, expected back in February, and Tom Cleverley - who is aiming to be return for some of Christmas fixtures.

The likes of Antonio Valencia, Nani and Ashley Young all play in wide roles when United opt for a 4-4-2 formation.

Fletcher's last appearance in international football came in November's 2-1 friendly win for Scotland in Cyprus, in which he played 64 minutes before being replaced by Craig Mackail-Smith.

Scotland's next match is a friendly against Slovenia in February.

Craig Levein, Scotland's manager, said: "I am obviously absolutely devastated for Darren because I know how hard he has worked to get back to playing regularly for his club and country.

"He is one of the most inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with and, on behalf of his Scotland team-mates and my backroom staff, I sincerely hope this time off, allied to the support of his family, will enable him to make a full recovery."

Levein hailed Fletcher's on-pitch efforts, adding: "Darren has shown tremendous dedication and fortitude, demonstrated by his ability to overcome this illness and perform at the highest level for Manchester United and Scotland.

"I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren this week and the most important thing, at this stage, is for the player to be given time to rest and recuperate. Nobody is more committed to his country's cause than our captain.

"He is a central part of our plans for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers but, at this stage, his health is paramount and I would like to reiterate the best wishes of everyone at involved with the national team and the Scottish FA."

[9 to 5]

Yes there is. You don't raise your hands to another player.

You also don't kick people off the ball, when they're on the floor.

This should be the start and finish of the matter.

[Colly]

Horrible news for Fletcher, hope he can recover to play again but more importantly hope he can recover in general. Something like that can be really debillitating (sic? Probably) and impact your quality of life, not even a Premiership salary can do much to help with that.

[Starvinho]

Get well soon Fletch

[Crybaby Bunting]

I feel bad for jumping to conclusions and assuming he'd failed a drugs test, that illness sounds horrific and I hope he makes a full recovery.

[METALMAN]

My dad recently had a disease very similar to Darren Fletcher's which was caused by a childhood case of malaria. He ended up needing to get a liver transplant. Hopefully it won't be anywhere near as bad as that for Darren Fletcher.

[stokeriño]

Good gravy, I post a gif on my lunch break and madness occurs.

To clarify my point about the Yaya incident/FA response:

* Having not seen the kick at the time, I wasn't saying that the slap/thing was a red card, but rather a booking and that two yellows might have ensued. But really, my point was that the referee missed more things than the Silva penalty call, and not just Chelsea things.

* I was however, confused by the FA's apparent response. They call Clattenburg up to ask if he'd seen a) the kick, b) the slap. Clattenburg says "yes, but meh" and "no" respectively.

If the FA thought that the latter wasn't worth doing anything about, why did they bother to ask Clattenburg if he'd seen it??

Just seems bloody bizarre.

Best of luck to Fletcher, by the way.

[Liam]

Yes there is. You don't raise your hands to another player.

You also don't kick people off the ball, when they're on the floor.

This should be the start and finish of the matter.

Pretty much.

[Colly]

Yes there is. You don't raise your hands to another player.

You also don't kick people off the ball, when they're on the floor.

This should be the start and finish of the matter.

Pretty much.

Not that I want to get into this again whatsoever, but surely the start and finish of this matter is a referee seeing it not once, but twice, and saying 'meh' both times? Not even Andre 'everyones out to get me' Villas-Boas saw it as worthy of comment...

[Jimmy]

Apparently Fulham are recalling Stockdale, which sucks beause Ipswich are now fucked. But if he can put in some good performances, could do Stockdale a bunch of favours in his England career.

[The Future]

Absolutely gutted about Darren Fletcher, he's one of those players who always puts in 100% and it explains why he hasn't been involved lately(A game like Basel away was calling out for him) really hope he gets better and back on the pitch soon.

[Starvinho]

Wasn't aware of any incident in the tunnel from the game yesterday and don't know if it's been mentioned but according to some of the morning papers Ashley Cole apparently shouted "Thursday nights, Channel 5!" at Mancini and the City players which caused a bit of handbags in the tunnel.

[stokeriño]

Maybe they didn't hear the 40,000 other people shouting it at them during the match.

[Cheeky Hughes]

It's just banter. Obviously poor timing on Cole's part, seeing as City were bound to be pissed off at losing their undefeated streak, but banter nonetheless. If I was one of them, I'd have simply shouted something about Cheryl Cole back and be done with it.

[Clawson]

It's just banter. Obviously poor timing on Cole's part, seeing as City were bound to be pissed off at losing their undefeated streak, but banter nonetheless. If I was one of them, I'd have simply shouted something about Cheryl Cole back and be done with it.

"Is that time we booked Cheryl for this week? Thanks Ashley!"

[Plubby]

What's on Thursday nights on channel 5? Is this the Europa League?