Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says there's little to report on Darren Fletcher's recovery.

The midfielder is taking an extended break from football after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Sir Alex revealed on Friday that Fletcher has returned to Carrington in the last few days, but simply to visit rather than train.

"He's been coming into the training ground in the last few days, just getting himself out of the house really," explained the boss. "I still wouldn't be able to put a time limit on it to be honest. It's not one I can assess very clearly or accurately. It is what it is and hopefully time will be the answer."

Fletcher has received plenty of support since his condition was confirmed, not just from the club, but external personnel as well including Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave who was diagnosed with the same complaint in 1992.

"I think there's been a lot of support from different sections. There have been a lot of letters in from people who suffer from the same illness," added Sir Alex. "It's collating all that together and using what we think is useful.

"I think the important thing is to trust the doctors looking after him because they're the ones that are going to be mapping out what to do with his future, and whether the medicine he's taking at the moment is making an impact and improving him. It's great to get information from other sources on how they've dealt with it, and hopefully somewhere along the line they'll find a route back."