Source: Telegraph
Manchester United's Darren Fletcher staying grounded as Uefa decision on red card looms
The Manchester United midfielder, whose red card in last Tuesday's Champions League semi-final victory at Arsenal rules him out of the final against Barcelona in Rome on May 27, could have the ban overturned when Uefa's disciplinary committee study United's written appeal.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who is attempting to have a red card for full-back Eric Abidal rescinded in order to have the Frenchman available for the final, has admitted that he is in favour of Fletcher being allowed to play in Rome.
However, Uefa general secretary David Taylor has this morning ruled out the possibility of a deal between the two teams, saying: "You set up compeition rules at the start of the season and that's what you stick by. This [a deal] would mean every red card would be subject to scrutiny."
Fletcher said: "I can't let it affect me. We've still got a championship to win, and that is where all my focus and concentration is.
"Everything else is out of my hands just now. I can't let that affect my performances or affect anything.
"I'm always hoping that it will be overturned, but we'll have to wait and I don't want to get my hopes up too much because I don't want to be disappointed.
"We just have to wait and see what happens. Right now I'm focused on helping United win the league."
Fletcher impressed again on Sunday as United beat Manchester City to move within four points of retaining the title.
Victory at Wigan on Wednesday would leave United needing just a point at home to Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime, but Fletcher insists that the league still has to be won.
He said: "We're in a great position, but we want to win the league as soon as possible. We want to win it against Arsenal, so we need to get three points in the bag against Wigan. That will be a difficult match." The Manchester United midfielder, whose red card in last Tuesday's Champions League semi-final victory at Arsenal rules him out of the final against Barcelona in Rome on May 27, could have the ban overturned when Uefa's disciplinary committee study United's written appeal.
