SIR 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.