By: Shannon Rezel

LIKE a warrior, he dives headfirst into the heat of the battle.

Like a faithful servant, he does his job with no qualms or complaint.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic have hogged the headlines.

But the quiet achiever in the Manchester United juggernaut this season has been Darren Fletcher.

From wading in the kiddy pool with John O'Shea to swimming in the deep end with Ronaldo and Co, the Scot has undoubtedly been United's most improved player.

He is no longer what once had been the most useless name in Manchester United's line-up.

He has ridden through the jeers, heckles, taunts and criticisms to become the fine player he is now.

Sadly, for the most part, his contribution has been much like the articles in a Playboy magazine - no one really takes notice of them.

But that suits Fletcher to a T, because he's no prancing peacock, no tantalising thespian.

He snubs the modern game of Hollywood football which bore the mark of celebrity names of Ronaldo, Robinho and Ronaldinho; and plays his football as a fitting tribute to the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Fundamental, no-nonsense football is what Fletcher's all about. An honest, determined player, as Sir Alex Ferguson describes him.

He is the unsung, less recognised hero for Manchester United, and it was no different against Arsenal this past fortnight.

Fletcher ran Arsenal's midfield ragged, and busted his guts for his team. But he was dealt a harsh sending-off in midweek for a challenge that Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo would probably have waved off. (We've seen him do it for less).

But Fletcher took the decision like a man. There was no Didier Drogba's floor-sprawling and expletives-spewing or Michael Ballack's eardrum-busting protests.

But just a plain and simple walk off the pitch. A true gentleman.

Much like an American Idol hopeful who doesn't blow his top after being turned down by Simon Cowell. A rare sight to see, and one that should be admired.

And perhaps it's a bit much to ask that just for that reason alone, Uefa should accede to United's requests, and overturn the red-card decision that ends his dream for an appearance in the Champions League final.

Respect

But much has been made about the lack of respect towards referees, and as long as Drogba's calloused finger still appears in referees' faces, there should be no dispute on that.

So in that light, punishment should and is rightfully doled out when players such as Drogba don't show the proper respect to referees, but on the other hand, shouldn't credit be given when players do?

The aforementioned appeal to Uefa by Manchester United was based on compassionate grounds, and there can be no better candidate for compassion and sympathy than Fletcher, the player who wears his heart on his Manchester United-crested sleeve, and would enjoy nothing more than to be of service to his team on the grandest of stages.

But the way things are shaping up, there seems to be no room for sentimentality in football and Fletcher has to be condemned to watch his team take on Barcelona from the stands. He'll sit there knowing one thing, that he played a big part in taking his side to the Rome final. -TNP