Darren Fletcher has taken another encouraging step forward in his recovery from the chronic bowel condition that threatened his career by being named by Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester United's Champions League squad.

Fletcher played a full 90 minutes for the first time in nearly 10 months when he featured for United's Under-21 side against Tottenham Hotspur last week. Fletcher has not played for the first XI since a 2-2 draw with Benfica in the Champions League last November.

This summer Ferguson admitted that the midfielder's career was in the balance. In July the manager said: "He has obviously got great challenges ahead. We are happy to be patient but he won't be starting the season. It is unfortunate because he is such a magnificent professional and such a nice lad. If it doesn't work for him, he knows he has a position at the club anyway."

Bébé, the Portuguese forward bought by United for £7.4m despite Ferguson admitting he had never watched him in the flesh, was left out of the squad.