Keep plugging away Fletch

[onenedkelly]

Old head on young shoulders

I FOR ONE WILL BACK ANYONE WHO DONS THE BELOVED RED SHIRT AND IS WILLIN TO GIVE THEIR ALL

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has vowed to prove Sir Alex Ferguson wrong for dropping him for the Carling Cup final victory over Wigan.

The Scottish international has admitted his disappointment at being marginalised at the tail end of the season but is determined to bounce back.

Fletcher has made 41 appearances for United this season but Ferguson has opted to deploy John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs in central midfield in recent weeks leaving Fletcher to kick his heels.

But, despite his recent omission from the first team, Fletcher revealed that Ferguson still views the 22-year-old as an integral member of the Red Devils' squad for next season.

"It was disappointing to miss out on the Carling Cup final. I'm not going to tell a lie and say I was happy because I didn't feel part of the squad," Fletcher told the Daily Record.

"But I have experienced playing in two FA Cup finals ahead of people like Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

"The manager picks the team on form at Manchester United and the players on form will play - the manager does speak to you and he let me know that I was a big part of the club.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dropped so has Cristiano Ronaldo. That's life at United and you should be up for the challenge.

"I feel as if sometimes the manager has tested me. Missing out on the final has made me even more determined to prove him wrong."

Fletcher also conceded that former United star Roy Keane will prove irreplaceable in United's midfield - even if the club were to sign a player of the calibre of Michael Ballack.

"Everyone has spoken about us replacing Roy but that will never happen. You can talk about Michael Ballack or anyone else but they won't replace Roy," said Fletcher.

"That's not taking away from anyone's footballing ability but Roy was a one-off - a great player with leadership qualities on the pitch which nobody else had."

[Rio's Back Pocket]

Great attitude from the lad.

Still not good enough for us though

[chiff]

There always seems to be a problem at OT with "fringe" players. I for one am not convinced about Fletcher because of his irritating habit of giving the ball away when doing simple things. But I wonder whether his problem is one of confidence.
Consider Richardson. Has played for England (well!!!) and played reasonably well in a poor side at WBA. Then he comes back to OT and is immediately marginalised. Plays full back (why?) and is in and out. So any confidence he gained disappears, he's frightened to death to do anything in case he makes a mistake and we all think he's a plonker.
Suddenly, for whatever reason, he plays an absolute blinder against Charlton. The shot that hit the bar was an absolute screamer and he's playing with confidence. Gets Man of the Match and deserves it. So what's the difference?
I think our young players get the same chance that the cricketers used to get. "You're in for one match - fail and you're out". They've changed that and now at least they get 3 or 4 chances -and it's worked. The same is probably needed for our young players. Give them a fair chance - as one amongst the "good" players; if they show signs -persevere, if not OUT. We've got so many players out on loan who are never going to be used, what's the point. Remember Chadwick. When he was finally transferred, I'd forgotten who he was he'd been out on loan so long.Sort em out!

[onenedkelly]

Id like to see Fletcher in training and see what he's really about, I can't see a kid who trains day in day out with United not being good enough to be honest and we all know how much Fergie blows his trumpet so he must have something, Although Im yet to see it

[Sky Sports 1]

He has a great presence the way i see it, just not so gifted in other areas which im guessing Fergie thinks he will improve on training with the players he does day in day out.

[moxdevil]

Aye keep plugging away, only at another club. ;D

[Scott]

Pleased he's got the right attitude. Maybe he's spent a lot of time talking to Smithy in the stands whilst not even making our subs bench recently?

But whether he works hard or not, he doesnt have the quality to be a United player. Fergie gave him more than his fair share of playing time, and Fletcher wasnt up to the job. Ho hum.

[7even]

I have to agree with Scott and Mox here. He isn’t united quality and I for one wouldn’t lose any sleep if he was to leave us.

[onenedkelly]

Only Twenty Two chaps

I hope he can turn it round but I agree from what we have seen he's not United 1st team quality

[luke chadwick]

Except for that fantastic goal against Chelsea in Old Trafford, I don´t really see what he´s doing on United still. Even my kids groan when they see him in the line up. A token Scot for Alex? Seems like a decent guy and works hard, but a place in Norwich City´s midfield would be much more suitable.

[sahahaha]

chiff said:

There always seems to be a problem at OT with "fringe" players. I for one am not convinced about Fletcher because of his irritating habit of giving the ball away when doing simple things. But I wonder whether his problem is one of confidence.
Consider Richardson. Has played for England (well!!!) and played reasonably well in a poor side at WBA. Then he comes back to OT and is immediately marginalised. Plays full back (why?) and is in and out. So any confidence he gained disappears, he's frightened to death to do anything in case he makes a mistake and we all think he's a plonker.
Suddenly, for whatever reason, he plays an absolute blinder against Charlton. The shot that hit the bar was an absolute screamer and he's playing with confidence. Gets Man of the Match and deserves it. So what's the difference?
I think our young players get the same chance that the cricketers used to get. "You're in for one match - fail and you're out". They've changed that and now at least they get 3 or 4 chances -and it's worked. The same is probably needed for our young players. Give them a fair chance - as one amongst the "good" players; if they show signs -persevere, if not OUT. We've got so many players out on loan who are never going to be used, what's the point. Remember Chadwick. When he was finally transferred, I'd forgotten who he was he'd been out on loan so long.Sort em out!

Good post. I gree with what your saying, but Fletchers had 41 games this seaon. Just not good enough is he?

[lauralou]

i was patient with fletcher for a long time cos fergie had such faith in him.. figured there was somethin he was doin on the trainin ground and wasnt quite pullin it off in the league.. but i think its pretty damn obvious to any red that fletcher jus isnt good enough. the likes of neville and butt, back in t'day, theyre the quality of fringe players utd should have.. both of them, even now, would be better back up than fletcher..
so its time he was off.. hes only wastin time stickin around at utd.

[matkaman]

Feel sorry for the man not good enough for Utd but at least he doesnt look the kind of greedy bastard type which alot of modern day footballers seem to be.Have too offload him still...