Source: Eurosport
Fletcher recognition pleases Fergie
Darren Fletcher returns to the Manchester United side on Tuesday night with Sir Alex Ferguson delighted his fellow Scot's industry is now receiving full acclaim. [LNB] For many years, the 25-year-old midfielder remained a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, with most fans questioning why he remained at the club, but over the past 18 months, the Dalkeith-born star has become one of the most influential members of Ferguson's squad. [LNB] "Most people now recognise Darren Fletcher as a big-game player," said Ferguson. "We have been aware of that for quite a while. Now he is getting an acceptance that he is a very important player for us."[LNB] Fletcher's absence was cited as the major reason for United's UEFA Champions League capitulation in Rome last May. [LNB] And the same assessment was made 10 days ago when Liverpool enjoyed a rare day of success in their miserable recent run. [LNB] Ferguson added: "Our fans see that he is a key player in major games. That has been very important to the lad because it gives him a confidence. [LNB] "He has been missed in some key games recently and yes, it is great to have the boy back." [LNB] Fletcher returns to face CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford knowing victory will ease United into the Champions League knock-out phase with two games to spare, allowing Ferguson to concentrate fully on the Premier League campaign, starting with Sunday's trip to Chelsea. [LNB] Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Giggs have already been ruled out, while there are also doubts over Dimitar Berbatov, who suffered a bang on his knee-cap against Blackburn on Saturday, and Wayne Rooney, who is celebrating the birth of his son Kai Wayne. [LNB] Another man who will definitely miss out is Rio Ferdinand, who was the victim of a stinging attack from former England coach Graham Taylor on Saturday.
