SIRÂ Alex Ferguson admits Darren Fletcher's success as a ball-winner can
get up the noses of rival managers but has backed his midfielder as one
of the fairest players in football.
Arsene Wenger appeared
to target Fletcher after Arsenal's defeat at Old Trafford a fortnight
ago, talking of one Manchester United player being "anti-football" and
committing 20 fouls without being booked.
Ferguson
believes Wenger and Arsenal were merely frustrated by a player who
relishes the job of taking the fight to the opposition - especially if
that opposition is the Gunners.
The United manager said: "Darren Fletcher is one of the most honest and fairest players in the game.
"Because
he wins the ball and he does it fairly, that's what has probably
annoyed them. But that's his job - that's what he's good at.
"He's marvellous at pressing the ball, his energy is incredible.
"The
other thing about Darren Fletcher he always seems to be man of the
match against Arsenal. They seem to be the club that Darren seems to
star against all the time."
Ferguson will need Fletcher at
his annoying best when United travel to Harry Redknapp's Tottenham,
early-season pace-setters with four wins out of four and a side that
Ferguson believes can finally break the stranglehold of the big four.