Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Fletcher the man for the big occasion
From Roots Hall to Wembley, Darren Fletcher's Carling Cup journey illustrates his rise as a Manchester United senior and key figure. The Reds midfielder's last start in the competition was at Southend in November 2006 when United were humiliated in Essex. Southend were strugglers in the Championship at the time, but beat Sir Alex Ferguson's side 1-0. It was a League Cup low point for the holders. Fletcher was lumped among Old Trafford's fringe players at the time. Twelve months later he missed another embarrassment at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup when Coventry won in front of the Stretford End. Fletcher was absent due to injury but would most certainly have been selected as one of the non-regular seniors to back up a young XI. That summed up the Scottish international's status at the time. Fletcher wasn't considered an established first teamer but was way beyond reserve team stature. He was unable to force himself on to the next level and his in-and-out appearances came to a head after United's 2008 Premier League title and Champions League double success. Having barely been involved in the run-in other clubs had noted his meagre appearance stats and telephoned Sir Alex Ferguson to enquire. Fletcher had a year of his Old Trafford deal remaining and discussions on a new contract were imminent. Ferguson talk But Fletcher decided against knocking on the manager's door to discuss his future, instead it was the other way round. "The manager came to me actually. The contract talk was put to one side and our discussion was mainly about playing time," said Fletcher. "I never came as close as talking to other clubs or anything like that. "The manager said there were offers but made it clear he didn't want me to go. "I was still having doubts because I was in a fairly strong position with only a year left to run on my contract, and if there was a time to leave, it would have been a good opportunity. "But I listened to what he had to say and just decided I did have a future at the club. Fortunately, it has turned out that way. "I think deep down I just wanted to show more than anything what I was capable of. It was never a case of going on to the pitch worried or anything like that, but maybe it wasn't coming across on the pitch for whatever reason, I don't know. "But I would have hated to have left having not shown people what I could do. That would have been a genuine disappointment, something I would have looked back on and regretted. "That's what drove me on and what I want to keep maintaining now because I want to be here for the rest of my career and leave some sort of mark on the club." Fletcher drive With Ferguson's tried and trusted policy for giving his young reserves League Cup experience and bolstering his line-ups with fringe seniors, the fact the United manager only chose Fletcher for 48 minutes of last season's Carling Cup campaign meant he'd made giant strides in the pecking order. It cost him a place at Wembley 12 months ago against Spurs but the 26-year-old is expected to face Aston Villa this Sunday. The man who has now has `big-game' prefixing his name looks a must for the clash with Martin O'Neill's side. But Fletcher believes that tag as a top occasion performer is a mental thing. "I'm of the opinion that, in the big games especially, sometimes it's more psychological than about actual ability," he said. "I'm a great believer in that. "A big percentage of the game is played in your head and how you deal with the big occasions. I just relish that challenge." Fletcher's energetic, combative style could well be the key again to United in their battle with Villa at Wembley. "We lost against Villa in the league at Old Trafford and drew at their place this month so we know they are a very tough team," he said. "They are a proper British-style team, they are in your face, they close you down and they work ever so hard. "They have so much pace and quality on the counter-attack that it's something we'll have to be wary of." THIS interview was taken from the Carling Cup Final programme. To order your copy, visit www.programmemaster.com or call 08700 202020. How does Fletcher match up to United's great midfielders past and present? Have your say.
