GREAT OPPORTUNITY

The Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is of the opinion that the Champions League match against CFR Cluj is a great opportunity for the youngsters at the club to show what they can do is provided with an opportunity. United have already qualified for the next stage in the competition as the group winners. As a result, they are likely to rest a number of senior players for the match against CFR Cluj, although the manager Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that he will be trying as hard as possible to maintain the integrity of the competition.

Darren Fletcher is expected to be one of the senior members of the squad who will take part in this match in the hope of building his fitness, as he has just returned to first team action after more than a year out with an injury. The likes of Nick Powell are expected to take part in this match. Fletcher has already said that he is extremely impressed with the 18-year-old Nick Powell, who made his debut in the European competition in the previous match against Galatasaray. Manchester United had lost the match 1-0, but they will be hoping for a much better performance from the youngsters this time around.

“I thought we were unfortunate to lose that match. We played a couple of young players and put in a good performance. It will have been massive for Nick Powell’s development. Nick is a fantastic player already. He is still relatively young but he is going to be a huge player for United. There is no doubt about that,” said Darren Fletcher ahead of the match. United are in a great position to try out a number of new players and also hand some playing time to some of the lesser used first-team players.

CHELSEA HAVE CHANGED

The Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher reckons that Chelsea have made a radical switch from the powerful and boring team that they used to be a few years ago. Chelsea have made a great start to the new Premier league season and are currently unbeaten in the league so far. They will be playing against Manchester United during the weekend. Ahead of this match, the Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher praised the new approach taken by Chelsea. After spending more than £ 80 million in bringing an attacking talents like Eden Hazard and Oscar, Chelsea have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier league.

They have been trying to emulate the Barcelona way by adopting a passing style of football, which is extremely easy on the eye according to Darren Fletcher. Chelsea also now have lot of quick players unlike before when their players used to be only about power and strength. Even though the team is now more enjoyable, Darren Fletcher a lot of opportunities to score goals against Chelsea because they are more exposed at the back. The defensive style of football brought in by the former manager José Mourinho is well and truly over due to the departure of key players from that era like Didier Drogba.

“It used to be a big, strong, physical side. You found yourself playing against Ballack, Makélelé and Lampard [who is likely to miss Sunday’s game with a calf injury] in midfield and Drogba up front. Now you tend to be facing more Barcelona-style players – the small, intricate ones who get in the pockets behind you and play the killer pass. Because they are looking to get into the pockets behind you, you are not really up against anyone,” said the 28-year-old, who has just returned to first team action.

FERGIE PLEASED WITH REACTION

The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he is extremely happy with the reception given to the midfielder Darren Fletcher, who recently returned to first team action after almost a year out due to an irritable bowel condition.

The 28-year-old Scotland midfielder is regarded as one of the best players within the Manchester United squad, but he was diagnosed with a rare form of irritable bowel condition. This forced him to get an indefinite leave of absence from the club, with many not knowing his expected return date. Some even were pessimistic by saying that it is unlikely Darren Fletcher would continue playing football.

However, he has given Manchester United a major boost ahead of their aspirations to lift the 20th league title by returning to first-team action in the Champions League group stage encounter with Galatasaray on Wednesday night. He was given a standing ovation by the supporters after he came on as a substitute in the match. Manchester United won the match 1-0 after a single goal from the midfielder Michael Carrick. Following the match, the Manchester United manager said that he was extremely pleased by the reaction from the supporters for the return of the 28-year-old.

“The fans recognised what a tough time Darren has had.It was a mark of respect that they gave him a marvellous ovation. Being out of the game for a year, it took him quite a few minutes to really get going. He did one or two good things but he can only get better after this,” said the manager after the match. Darren Fletcher came on for Paul Scholes with only 11 min remaining on the clock. Manchester United thus opened the new group stage campaign with a win over a Turkish club, who have had various success at Old Trafford.

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