It's Darren's stretcher

FLETCH-A-STRETCH ... Darren Fletcher in United return

ALEX FERGUSON last night revealed Darren Fletcher stunned him by demanding a return to action.

The Manchester United midfielder made his first appearance in nine months in the 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen in Neil Simpson’s testimonial.

Fletcher played for the final 30 minutes after training with Craig Levein’s Scotland squad in Edinburgh this week.

Fergie admitted last month that he did not know when Fletcher — who is battling ulcerative colitis — would be back in action so the speed of his recovery has left him surprised.

He said: “It has been quiet progress for the boy.

“He joined in training a couple of weeks ago and it’s one of those situations where you say ‘let’s see how he does’ because he’s had a really difficult time.

“Therefore, I was not really placing too much hope in it but let’s see how he does.

“He’s got to the stage where he feels he needs a game.

“I let him join Scotland this week but he wanted a game so I said ‘come to Aberdeen and join up afterwards’.”

Fletcher, 28, replaced summer signing Nick Powell to take the next step on the road to recovery.

Fergie brought a strong team north to honour his former Aberdeen player. There was no Wayne Rooney but Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Anderson and David De Gea all started.

And on an evening steeped in nostalgia, United gave a nod to their past by naming former stars Dwight Yorke, Quinton Fortune and Clayton Blackmore on the bench.

But it was the inclusion of Fletcher which was by far the most important.

Fletcher probably expected to be introduced into the game with his team ahead but it was Dons who took a 38th-minute lead.

Scholes hesitated in his area, allowing Jonny Hayes to rob him and fire past De Gea.

After Giggs hit the post with a 25-yard curling shot, the Pittodrie side scored a second when centre-back Joe Shaughnessy poked home after keeper De Gea dropped a corner kick.

Anderson grabbed a consolation for United with nine minutes left.