Fletcher: don’t underestimate Pool
Despite beating Portsmouth at home on Monday, Rafael Benitez’s side have endured a frustrating campaign.
After finishing second last season, they are now chasing fourth place in the table rather than the title.
Liverpool lie 15 points adrift of league leaders United but will be comforted by the 4-1 victory at Old Trafford a year ago.
And Fletcher, 25, says they will have to be on their guard.
“It would be very dangerous to think this is a poor Liverpool side coming to Old Trafford because they are anything but,” he said.
“It would be a huge mistake to think that Liverpool are not a threat.
“They maybe haven’t had the season we expected after last year but they are still a dangerous side.
“They are still in the main the same team. We know what they are capable of and pushed us all the way and dished out that defeat here and the one at Anfield this season. They are still fresh in our memories.
“Liverpool still have a lot to play for because they are battling for fourth spot.
“They are capable of beating anyone.
“We have to learn the lessons from last year’s game. The warnings are there. If you are not 100% focused and you make mistakes they will punish you.
“It is a real surprise to me they haven’t been up with us. But they will still be fired up to win at Old Trafford again.”
The big game against Liverpool comes at the right time for Dimitar Berbatov, reckons United midfielder Michael Carrick.
“Berba was terrific against Fulham,” Carrick said. “He has been excellent for a number of weeks now.
“At Wolves, it was a big performance from him as he was up-front on his own, and on Sunday he really deserved his goal after all his work and endeavour. He did terrifically for Wayne’s second goal and his overall play was very good. He is hitting top form at the right time.”
Berbatov, meanwhile, says he is happy to allow Wayne Rooney to take the headlines as they close in on further silverware. Rooney has scored 32 goals this season and is now closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s personal record of 42.
“If we win it doesn’t matter who scores for me as long as we are champions in the end,” Berbatov said. “I try to assist more. In fact, I preferred the second assist I gave to Wayne against Fulham. That is sometimes better than scoring.
“Wayne can go over 40 goals because there are plenty of games left in the season. I wish him luck and we are all going to help him to get over that mark.
“Like I have told him many times, he just needs to stay healthy and he can achieve everything.”
Meanwhile Preston North End manager Darren Ferguson has revealed that striker Danny Welbeck’s loan spell at Deepdale has ended and he will return to Manchester United after undergoing an operation on a knee injury.
Welbeck had scored two goals in eight starts at Preston, but picked up the injury in training ahead of North End’s game with Cardiff City.
There were hopes at Deepdale that the problem could be managed, but it soon became apparent that the player required surgery and would have to return to Old Trafford.
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