Red Devil
11-05-2006, 11:49 AM
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has vowed to prove Sir Alex Ferguson wrong for dropping him for the Carling Cup final victory over Wigan. The Scottish international has admitted his disappointment at being marginalised at the tail end of the season but is determined to bounce back. Fletcher has made 41 appearances for United this season but Ferguson has opted to deploy John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs in central midfield in recent weeks leaving Fletcher to kick his heels.
But, despite his recent omission from the first team, Fletcher revealed that Ferguson still views the 22-year-old as an integral member of the Red Devils' squad for next season. "It was disappointing to miss out on the Carling Cup final. I'm not going to tell a lie and say I was happy because I didn't feel part of the squad," Fletcher told the Daily Record. "But I have experienced playing in two FA Cup finals ahead of people like Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.
"The manager picks the team on form at Manchester United and the players on form will play - the manager does speak to you and he let me know that I was a big part of the club. "Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dropped so has Cristiano Ronaldo. That's life at United and you should be up for the challenge. "I feel as if sometimes the manager has tested me. Missing out on the final has made me even more determined to prove him wrong."
Fletcher also conceded that former United star Roy Keane will prove irreplaceable in the side's midfield - even if Ferguson were to sign a player of the calibre of Michael Ballack. "Everyone has spoken about us replacing Roy but that will never happen. You can talk about Michael Ballack or anyone else but they won't replace Roy," said Fletcher. "That's not taking away from anyone's footballing ability but Roy was a one-off - a great player with leadership qualities on the pitch which nobody else had." Sky Sports News
But, despite his recent omission from the first team, Fletcher revealed that Ferguson still views the 22-year-old as an integral member of the Red Devils' squad for next season. "It was disappointing to miss out on the Carling Cup final. I'm not going to tell a lie and say I was happy because I didn't feel part of the squad," Fletcher told the Daily Record. "But I have experienced playing in two FA Cup finals ahead of people like Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.
"The manager picks the team on form at Manchester United and the players on form will play - the manager does speak to you and he let me know that I was a big part of the club. "Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dropped so has Cristiano Ronaldo. That's life at United and you should be up for the challenge. "I feel as if sometimes the manager has tested me. Missing out on the final has made me even more determined to prove him wrong."
Fletcher also conceded that former United star Roy Keane will prove irreplaceable in the side's midfield - even if Ferguson were to sign a player of the calibre of Michael Ballack. "Everyone has spoken about us replacing Roy but that will never happen. You can talk about Michael Ballack or anyone else but they won't replace Roy," said Fletcher. "That's not taking away from anyone's footballing ability but Roy was a one-off - a great player with leadership qualities on the pitch which nobody else had." Sky Sports News