[funkdoctorspock]

Folks that have known me for awhile, know that I have ragged on Fletcher's abilities and questioned whether he should be playing elsewhere.

In my mind, last season was the breakout year for Fletch. This season, he has been on another level. I dont' know if had to do with his NT responsibilities or his skills finally matched his heart on the pitch, but I'm of a believer now.

What I really like about Fletcher is his temperment. Have you ever heard him once complain about lack of playing time?

Have you ever heard about him being a trouble maker or team disrupter?

He's been an asbolute class act and I do find myself cheering him on.


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Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher by describing him as 'a terrific example to any young player.'


The 24-year-old may not have the high profile of the likes of team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez but his Manchester United manager has held him up as 'a true professional.'

Fletcher has been in and out of the side this season such is the vast array of talent at Old Trafford.

But he marked his return last night with a sound, workmanlike performance in the engine room as United clinched a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Ronaldo's 30th goal of a special season was enough to end Lyon's resistance as they went through 2-1 on aggregate.

While the Portugal winger is in a line for a number of top personal awards, Ferguson turned his focus to Fletcher.

'Darren has shown he is a true professional,' said Ferguson. 'When you give people good contracts you hope they will become like that.

'He is a terrific example of a professional to any young player.

'I keep talking about Bobby Charlton's book, and his frustration when he was not in the team at 19 and had to be patient.

'Darren Fletcher epitomises that patience and now he's back in the squad and everyone recognises his abilities. It's a great credit to the lad.'

Fletcher was picked ahead of the veteran Paul Scholes and summer signing Owen Hargreaves - and after scoring twice in the FA Cup demolition of Arsenal he again rose to the challenge.

Ferguson said: 'It was a big decision for me [to pick him] because Paul Scholes had put in a vintage performance at Fulham (United won 3-0).

'If the game had come a day later I would have played Scholes but decided not to given the length of time he has been out injured, and his age.

'Darren came in and did a job very effectively. He's not an easy player to come up against - I wouldn't like to play against him.

'He closes down people so quickly and keeps his eye on the ball and tackles without conceding fouls.'

United remain on course for the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup for the first time since 1999.

England defender Rio Ferdinand, who captained the side against the French league leaders, believes they have the quality to cope with the challenge on all three fronts.

The quarter-final draw will be made a week on Friday but he is not concerned about which team they might face.

Ferdinand said: 'It is tough to win the competition every year and we are just happy to be in the next round.

'We are on a good run of form and you can see the determination to do well among the players.

'Long may that continue and see where it gets us. We are just taking it step by step.

'We have great numbers at the moment and a lot of quality. It is important we stay injury-free.'

Ferguson's side equalled Juventus Champions League record of ten straight home victories set in 1997 by triumphing at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand, a losing semi-finalist with United last season and Leeds in 2001, added: 'You have to defend well as a team and take your chances when they come.

'We managed to to do that against Lyon and got our rewards to secure the result we needed.'

ESPNsoccernet - UEFA Champions League - Ferguson hails 'true professional' Fletcher