Manchester United v CSKA Moscow: Darren Fletcher key to progress says Alex Ferguson

03 November 2009 06:25
For many years, the 25-year-old the Manchester United midfielder remained a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, with most fans questioning why he remained at the club. [LNB]But over the past 18 months, the Dalkeith-born star has become one of the most influential members of Ferguson's squad. [LNB] Related ArticlesManchester United v CSKA Moscow: match previewNeville tainting his legacyFerguson: Ferdinand will recover from 'blip'Ferguson hails Evans-Brown partnershipSport on televisionFletcher'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]"Most people now recognise Darren Fletcher as a big-game player," said Ferguson. [LNB]"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]"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. [LNB]Taylor put his neck on the line by stating Ferdinand's best years were behind him and he would no longer be a force for his country and might struggle to maintain his form for Manchester United. [LNB]Ferguson disagrees totally. "In my time here we have always had one of our star players finding he gets criticised when he has a little blip," he said. [LNB]"It seems to be part and parcel of being a player at Manchester United. We are all aware of that. [LNB]"No player likes to be criticised. We all like to be loved and want arms around our shoulders at times. [LNB]"But he will come out of it, there is no question about that. [LNB]"There is no discernible depreciation in his qualities. None at all." [LNB]

Source: Telegraph