Focused Gibson unfazed by Fulham link

DARRON GIBSON is determined to remain at Old Trafford despite recent speculation that Fulham are in the hunt for his signature.

The Derry-born midfielder played a central role in Manchester United’s successful Carling Cup campaign and has made half a dozen other appearances for the first-team in the league, FA Cup and in Europe this term.

That represents a huge stride since spending most of the past two seasons on loan at Royal Antwerp and Wolves, and it has reportedly prompted the London side to take notice.

But Gibson downplayed talk of a move to Craven Cottage.

He said: “I never heard anything. But I am really happy where I am for the minute.”

Alex Ferguson’s policy of blooding up-and-coming players in the league cup allowed players like Gibson, Ben Foster and Danny Welbeck show their talents and start a final at Wembley. Though the Carling Cup may be down in the popularity stakes, Gibson is delighted to have lifted the title.

He admitted: “It gives you a massive confidence boost to win a medal at such a young age.

“Some players don’t win a medal in their whole career so to do it so early is a massive confidence boost for me.”

It is all a long way removed from 12 months ago when Gibson found himself sitting on the bench at Wolves.

“This season I have been involved a lot more than last season or the season before. I’ve learned about how Man United play and about how the manager works.”

Next on the list of priorities is some game time in the Premier League and the Champions League. Though he has featured four times in the two biggest competitions this season, only one came as a starter.

Even then, his night against Aalborg at Old Trafford ended after 46 minutes and he has yet to play since the penalty shootout win over Tottenham at the start of the month.

“It is the next step for me. I am pushing at the moment but I haven’t really got my chances. Hopefully I can push a bit more in the next few games and get my chance in the league.”

That door seems to have opened slightly given United’s recent slump in form and upcoming suspensions for Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney following their dismissals last weekend.

Gibson isn’t the talkative type so theories on the side’s recent wobble don’t abound in conversation but he did at least dismiss the suggestion that fatigue and the chase for the quintuple is at its heart.

Given the performances against Inter Milan, Liverpool and Fulham, the international break seems to have arrived right on cue for the league leaders, if only so they can step back and take stock.

“Yeah, but Man United players are still going to be playing (for their countries) so it won’t make a difference,” countered Gibson. “We have a tough run-in after the international break as well but we will be fine.”

Gibson’s own situation with Ireland resembles that at his club. Elevated to a starting position by Giovanni Trapattoni for the games against Cyprus and Poland, he has since had to play second fiddle to Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan.

Though not ideal, he hasn’t forgotten it was the pair of appearances for his country that helped him make a concerted push with United at the start of the domestic season and he sounds bullish about the week to come.

Six points would be “unbelievable” but the priority this week seems to be to put an end Bulgaria’s hopes of qualification at Croke Park tonight before switching the focus to the world champions in Bari. “I think if we win (Bulgaria) will be out of it. It will be us and Italy so, if we play well, we should get a result in both games. We are just going to take each game as it comes.”