Darren Fletcher comes through 90 minutes of Under-21 defeat to Stoke City

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has completed a full 90 minutes of his side's Under-21 defeat to Stoke City.

The Scotland international, who has been slowly edging towards full fitness following a chronic bowel problem, competed alongside Wilfried Zaha, who came close to opening the scoring after soaring down the right before fluffing his final touch in the area.

Fletcher also had the chance to give the youngsters the lead when he launched a shot following some build-up play from Larnell Cole and Tom Lawrence, but his effort was knocked away by Stoke keeper Ray Bachman.

After losing striker Will Keane to injury in the early stages of the half, United struggled to find attacking threat as Stoke took advantage and found the breakthrough after 57 minutes.

Adam Thomas managed to find the back of the net with a header after getting in front of Ben Amos and latching on to the ball from a corner kick.

Despite United being against 10 men for the closing stages of the second half after Ryan O'Reilly was sent off after a second bookable offence, the young Potters were able to see out the win.