Fletcher’s decision to sign new deal Ferguson’s biggest relief of the season

ALEX FERGUSON has claimed getting Darren Fletcher to sign a new contract was his biggest relief of the season.

While the battle to sign Dimitar Berbatov went down to the last minutes on deadline day and Ferguson was forced to make an urgent trip to Portugal this summer for talks that gained agreement from Cristiano Ronaldo to stay, it seems the Scot regarded keeping Fletcher just as important.

Few would regard the 24-year-old midfielder as a pivotal presence in the Red Devils squad. After being limited to just 24 appearances last term, Fletcher had a decision to make. With several clubs demanding his services, Fletcher opted to remain at Old Trafford, where he was rewarded with an improved four-year contract.