Source: Daily_Mail
Darren Fletcher denies Manchester United were complacent against Wovles
Darren Fletcher insists Manchester United never expected life to be easy at Wolves yesterday.[LNB]The final match of an extraordinary day in the Barclays Premier League provided a suitably unexpected ending as the top flight's bottom club came from behind to record a 2-1 win over the leaders, ending their 29-match unbeaten run in the process.[LNB]Given Arsenal's failure to hold onto a four-goal lead at Newcastle, it was a huge opportunity missed, leading to a search for explanations from the visiting camp.[LNB] Level pegging: George Elokobi scores Wolves' equaliser against Manchester United[LNB]But one word was not mentioned. There was never any chance of United becoming complacent.[LNB]'There are no easy games and no given matches,' said Scotland skipper Fletcher.[LNB]'We don't go into any game thinking we will just win. You have to perform.[LNB]'Wolves are fighting for their lives. They have been mightily unlucky this year and their performances have not been rewarded with points.[LNB]'They play the way their manager is. They are in your face and press for 90 minutes. They constantly put you under pressure and play percentage football.[LNB]'We knew it was going to be difficult and so it proved.'[LNB]That United had blown an opportunity to open up a seven-point lead at the top of the table, and had been given the perfect start by Nani's third-minute opener, only added to the frustration in the visitors' camp.[LNB]The sense of famous comebacks at Blackpool and Southampton recently had hung in the air long before it was achieved.[LNB]This time there was none. Just the sight of Wayne Rooney - who wasted an outstanding opportunity to double United's lead before George Elokobi levelled - struggling to control his temper, Ryan Giggs' halo slipping slightly when he chopped down Kevin Doyle after the whistle had gone and Paul Scholes blatantly attempting to push the ball past Wayne Hennessey.[LNB] Whose goal? Elokobia and Doyle go for the ball with the Irishman claiming the final touch to score Wolves' winner[LNB]'The fact that we did not create a chance was disappointing,' said Fletcher.[LNB]'Our final ball wasn't great and that little bit of quality wasn't there. We kept trying to break through but ultimately we didn't manage to do it.'[LNB]The failings of other teams, either yesterday or earlier in the season, means United still find themselves in a healthy position, although they will be acutely aware another defeat in next Saturday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford will have them nervously looking over their shoulders.[LNB] Rio Ferdinand will miss that one, his withdrawal with a calf injury sustained in the warm-up hardly helping matters yesterday, even if it was not put forward as a reason for a defeat that cost the Red Devils their impressive unbeaten record.[LNB]'It is disappointing to lose the unbeaten record but the main thing for us has always been to win the league,' said Fletcher.[LNB]Smiling again: Mick McCarthy watched his side stun the league leaders at Molineux[LNB]'Losing has put a dent in that.[LNB]'It has never been about staying unbeaten. We could have remained unbeaten the whole season and not won the league. What would have been the point of that?[LNB]'Now we will have to bounce back and show character - and there is no bigger match to do it in than the Manchester derby.'[LNB]Typically, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was not keen to dwell on the minor points of the day.[LNB]The argument between Elokobi and Kevin Doyle about who actually scored the winner just before half-time was dismissed thus: 'Not bothered. You can give it to Wayne Rooney for me.'[LNB]McCarthy is acutely aware that in this strangest of seasons, his team can put forward arguably the most bizarre sequence of results.[LNB]How is it possible for a team to record victories over both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool, yet still find themselves bottom of the table?[LNB]'We have been bobbins against West Ham, Wigan, Bolton, Blackpool. That's why,' he replied.[LNB] 'Teams around us have picked points off us. We have to stop that.[LNB]'It is all right lounging and basking in a sunny day of beating Manchester United. It is satisfying but they are not going to give us five points for it.[LNB]'We have to beat these other teams to preserve our Premier League status.[LNB]'We are still bottom of the league but that doesn't matter one iota. It is May 22 when it counts.'[LNB] United beaten at last: Title race wide open as Fergie's side lose at WolvesUnited locked in ?22m battle with Bayern for keeper NeuerPREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Follow West Ham v Birmingham and Chelsea v Liverpool - as it happens All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Paul Scholes, Kevin Doyle, Wayne Hennessey, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Mick McCarthy, Nani Places: Newcastle, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester, Scotland
