Fletcher: United ready to hit back

MANCHESTER United midfielder Darren Fletcher has given an insight into the legacy handed down by senior players when the team’s capability is being questioned.

With only three wins in seven games in all competitions, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are having to endure a period of inconsistency.

United had to settle for a draw against Birmingham City at the weekend after being knocked out of the FA Cup by League One Leeds United.

However Fletcher, who will miss the Barclays Premier League match against Burnley on Saturday through suspension, says some of the criticism has been over the top.

“Everyone wants to shoot you down when you are successful and you need to have the character to take that on board and fight back,” he said.

“That is the challenge. You learn from it and it is what being part of this club is all about. You get used to it and respond to it.

“When you are young and naive it can affect you. But I had very experienced players around me when I first broke through who pointed out the reality of it.

“The older ones have passed it down. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville told me not to worry about it because they’d experienced it.”

United, one point behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more, have escaped the big freeze with some warm weather training in Qatar.

They were due to arrive back yesterday to complete their preparations for what will be Brian Laws’ first game in charge of Burnley.