Not since the departure of Roy Keane has Manchester United had a midfield general like Darren Fletcher. In a revealing interview with United fanzine United We Stand, Fletch describes the challenge he finds competing at the heart of United's team against the best players and teams of the English Premier League.
Fletcher said: 'I love challenging myself against all the best players and a lot of them play in the Premiership.
'I watch how good they are, but when we play them I think to myself: 'Right, I’m going to see how good you really are.
'Fabregas, Lampard and Gerrard, I’m going to get against you and see how you like it. And when you’ve not got the ball I’m still going to get about you and see how you like it."
'I’m going to ask you: "Do you fancy it? Do you like getting kicked? Do you like the fact that I am going to be at you for the whole 90 minutes? As soon as you get the ball I am going to be in your face. You are not going to like it one bit.
"And when we have the ball I am going to run you into the corner and you’re going to follow me. Are you ready for that? Because that’s what’s going to happen."
'I love the challenge of playing against the best players in the world. Lampard is the one who stands out in the Premiership. His movement is outstanding for such a big lad.
'He’s fit, runs all day, but if you turn your back and he gets blindside of you he’s gone. You have to be so aware of him for the whole game, concentrating 100 per cent.
'You can’t watch the ball; you have to watch the player. Lose your concentration and switch off and he will punish you.
'When we play against Chelsea, the manager asks me to get against him and stop him. Stop those runs into the box. I’ve managed to do that.
'I love the big games. I get excited before them and not a bit nervous. I dreamed about playing in these games as a kid so I’m determined to make the most of them while I am there, determined to test myself to my full ability.
'I don’t want to sound big headed, but I’ve never come up against anyone who has torn me to shreds.
'The only time that has happened has been in training against Roy Keane and Paul Scholes. I do enjoy the big games, I really do.
'In my younger games, I would perhaps sit back in the so-called lesser games.
'I’d let the lads go and play while covering for them. But in the big games I’d come out wanting the ball all the time.
'I’ve had to learn to do that in every game, to do it week in week out.
'I’ve made a conscious effort in the last couple of years to play every game as if it’s my last. If I’m going to stay in the team, I believe I have to play like that. It has worked quite well for me. My whole goal is to win the game and put in a performance which keeps me in the team.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1230332/Manchester-United-star-Darren-Fletcher-admits-loves-new-tough-guy-image-wants-make-life-awkward-rivals.html
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