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Darren Fletcher has undergone a final make or break operation that will determine whether he plays for Manchester United again, writes the Sunday People's Steve Bates .

The 29-year-old former Scotland captain has been battling the debilitating bowel condition ulcerative colitis and had the last of three operations a few days ago.

Fletcher now faces a period of rehabilitation and an anxious wait to discover whether he can resume his playing career at Old Trafford.

Before his operation Fletcher told me: “It’s been a big battle but if I come through the last operation OK at the end of June then that will be the breakthrough I’ve been waiting for and I should be OK to resume playing again.

(Image: Laurence Griffiths)

“It’s been a hard time the last couple of years dealing with something like this. As a professional footballer all you want to do is play, but that’s not been possible for me.

“But if the operation is a success I’ve been told there should be nothing to stop me being cleared to play again.”

New United boss David Moyes is known to admire Fletcher’s work rate, skill and tenacity and made an abortive bid to sign his fellow Scot while in charge at Everton. It is believed Moyes has already spoken to Fletcher to wish him a successful recovery.