Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that midfielder Darren Fletcher will not play again this season.

The Scotland captain, 27, has not featured for United since November after it emerged that he was suffering from a chronic bowel complaint.

Recent reports had seemed to suggest that Fletcher could be on the road to recovery faster than expected, but Ferguson has moved to dismiss such talk.

"I don't expect Fletcher to come back. Darren will be out for the season," Ferguson told MUTV.

United travel to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.