Stop Barca!

SIR Alex Ferguson will rely on Darren Fletcher to plug the gaps which were so brutally exposed by Barcelona two years ago.

Fletcher missed the Champions League final defeat to Barca in Rome after being sent off in the semi–final win over Arsenal.

After making his comeback following a debilitating virus which has kept him out for two months, the Manchester United midfielder should be available for the re–match at Wembley on May 28.

And as he bids to find a way of stopping the team widely accepted to be the best on the planet at present, Ferguson knows his fellow Scot could be a key man.

“It wouldn’t have been fair to pitch Darren in from the start because he really does need games,” said Ferguson.

“Some players are big–game players and he is one.

“The perfect example is Mark Hughes, he was one of the best big–game players in United’s history. He never failed in a big game and Darren is the same type of player.”

Since 2009, United have lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, while Barcelona have added David Villa and a clutch of trophies under Pep Guardiola, who was at Old Trafford to watch United complete a 4-1 win on the night over Schalke and a 6–1 aggregate triumph.

Antonio Valencia opened the scoring for United and Darron Gibson extended their lead before half–time.

Anderson, who had only scored twice in his United career then grabbed a brace to complete a remarkable victory against the shell–shocked Bundesliga side.

Ferguson, who will become only the second manager to lead his team into four European Cup finals, does not see why his side should harbour an inferiority complex.

“I don’t think we should be going there lacking in confidence,” he said.

Ferguson will be making contact with old friend Jose Mourinho, who has suffered painfully at Barcelona’s hands already this season, most recently this week when Real Madrid were turned over in their own Champions League semi–final.

Before that, United must face Chelsea on Sunday in a game that is likely to determine the destination of the Premier League title.

It is why Ferguson made eight changes to his starting line–up last night, leaving Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand out altogether.