Kings and kids give United special mix

DARREN FLETCHER has given an insight into the special bond at Manchester United where kids mix with kings.

At 20, the Scotland midfielder is one of a clutch of youngsters who have been given their head by manager Alex Ferguson. Jonathan Spector and Chris Eagles were both in the starting line-up in the Champions League victory against Dinamo Bucharest in midweek.

They are just 18 - the same age as the player United are chasing, Everton and England striker Wayne Rooney. Fletcher said yesterday: "It is daunting coming here at first as a young lad. But you are around the big players every day - that's the good thing we've got at United.

"We are not separated. It is not first team over here and youth team over there.

"You are mixing every day from a young age.

"So when you make that transition into the first team dressing room those players are not strangers.

"While it remains a little bit daunting, it is more a case of respect for those superstars like Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Ruud van Nistelrooy, and what they have achieved.

"You get great experience learning from them. I sometimes think you learn more from talking with them before and after the game in the dressing room rather than on the pitch."

Fletcher, in line to face Blackburn at Ewood Park today, is determined to kick on this season and establish himself in the side.

"I see last year as a learning experience and I am looking to build on that. It is hard to get in the United team and even harder to stay there.

"Players come in for a season and do quite well and suddenly they are not here any more.

"I am not taking anything for granted. I want to keep my name in and around the first team and be here for a number of years. I am looking to play more games and win more trophies. We won the FA Cup but we are looking for bigger things like the Champions League and the Premiership."

His natural role is in centre midfield but he said: "I would play anywhere to get a game for United. But my aim is to eventually hold down a regular position in centre midfield. That's my position and where I have played all my life. The first time I played on the right was a hard experience but I got used to it."

Spector could retain his place in the team following the absence of Keane with a rib injury. The 18-year-old American slotted in superbly at left-back - with John O'Shea in the middle of defence - in midweek.

Phil Neville is also pushing for a place in the team, as is Louis Saha after recovering from a knee injury.

Ferguson said: "This is the strongest we have been all season as we have players coming back. Hopefully in the next two or three weeks we will be in better shape.

"We have had to depend on a hard core of experienced players like Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. And I have to say that Mikael Silvestre gets better each year. There is quality in the squad - no doubt about that."

He knows, however, Blackburn are traditionally feisty opponents on their home patch. "It is a local derby and you would expect it to be tricky. They will not lie down but our record there recently is good. While I was disappointed we did not get anything from the Chelsea game, our performances have been fine," he said.