Fergie: honest Fletcher among the fairest

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 he always seems to be man of the match against Arsenal. They seem to be the club Darren seems to star against all the time.”

Ferguson will need Fletcher at his annoying best today 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.

The United manager picked out Redknapp’s signing of Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios from Wigan as key to Spurs’ improvement. “They have a realistic chance of breaking into the top four,” said Ferguson.

“They and Man City have had good starts and those two are ahead of the rest at the moment. Everton have had a stuttering start but they will be a strong contender and Aston Villa as well.

“Harry has brought in a few of his own type of players like (Peter) Crouch, (Jermain) Defoe and (Niko) Kranjcar from Portsmouth.

“He bought Palacios from Wigan and I thought that was a good signing to bring steel into midfield. They have really started well and there’s a good degree of experience in the squad.”

Rio Ferdinand could be contention for his first competitive match for United this season – he has been back in training this week after a thigh injury. Gary Neville could also figure after proving his fitness in a reserve match last week.

Antonio Valencia may start on the bench as the Ecuador winger has had a long journey back from international duty in Bolivia. ! John O’Shea looks certain to miss out after suffering a calf injury on Republic of Ireland duty.