Fletcher happy to stay on at United

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has insisted he is happy at Old Trafford following speculation linking him with Birmingham. The astonishing rise to prominence of Brazilian midfielder Anderson following his summer arrival from Porto has severely restricted Fletcher’s first-team opportunities. Saturday’s late run-out against Newcastle was only the Scotland international’s 15th appearance of the season, nine of which have been as substitute.

Indeed, Fletcher has started twice as many games in the Champions League this term than he has in the Premier League, where the Christmas trips to Sunderland and West Ham are the only times he has appeared in Sir Alex Ferguson’s XI.

Little wonder, therefore, that speculation has been mounting over the 23-year-old’s future.

Celtic would almost certainly show an interest should Fletcher indicate any desire to leave, while it was suggested the Dalkeith-born player’s former international manager Alex McLeish would attempt to lure him south to Birmingham.

However, it seems any move to prise Fletcher away from Old Trafford will fail.

For, while the player admits he is frustrated at his lack of opportunities, it does not translate into a desire to quit the Red Devils.

“I am still happy playing for Manchester United and I am not thinking of going elsewhere,” he said.

“I never heard anything about Birmingham being interested, I just know I want to be here for a long time.

“My only focus is on being ready when the manager needs me and being able to perform for the club when asked.”

Fletcher may well re-assess the situation at the end of the campaign, although Ferguson would doubtless be reluctant to lose one of his loyal foot soldiers, who, over the past 12 months, has proved himself adept as an emergency full-back.

Certainly, the Scot rarely lets the Red Devils down on the biggest stage and he was one of United’s top performers against Roma last month as Ferguson’s side came within 19 minutes of recording only their third win on Italian soil.

However, Fletcher has no complaints about his frequent absences, admitting Anderson’s impressive form has made it extremely difficult for Ferguson to leave the South American out.

“It is frustrating because any player wants to play,” he said.

“But basically, it has been down to the form of the midfield. Fair play to Anderson, when Paul Scholes got injured, he came in and has been in great form.

“The manager has stuck by him, which is what he does when you perform well, and has had a run in the team.

“We will see how things pan out at the end of the season in terms of games played and what you have contributed to the squad. But I am not thinking about that just now.

“I am just looking to the short term, and I would like to win a few trophies and hopefully go a few steps further than last year.”

Injury ended Ben’s big season hopes

Crocked goalkeeper Ben Foster has admitted this season is a write-off for him as far as Manchester United is concerned.Foster had such high hopes at the end of last season, having been told by Sir Alex Ferguson his services would be required at Old Trafford after two successful years on loan at Watford.

But any designs Foster may have had on forcing Edwin van der Sar out of the first-team picture were immediately dashed when he was diagnosed with a ruptured cruciate knee ligament in May.

Instead of finally providing van der Sar with some competition fully two years after he joined United from Stoke, Foster was condemned to a year of rehabilitation.

While a return to competitive action in late February or early March is planned, Foster knows that - with United’s anticipated drive for major honours starting to reach its most intense period - he is unlikely to be involved.

“It is going to be early February before I can start training with the rest of the squad again and March before I can play,” he told Manchester United Radio.

“It is definitely something to aim for. But at this moment in time I would take anything; the reserves or a short loan spell somewhere. That would allow me to kick on next season.”

Foster might get another opportunity with England before he makes his first competitive appearance for United.

Having won his first senior cap in the home friendly defeat to Spain in February, the Leamington Spa-born goalkeeper is expected to provide major long-term competition to current England number one Paul Robinson.

If England fail to reach Euro 2008, a series of end-of-season friendlies - whether as part of a tour or revived Home International programme - could provide Foster with the perfect opportunity to stake his claim.

But after spending so long on the sidelines, he just wants to get fit.

“First things first,” he laughed. “I have to force my way in at United. You can’t expect to be picked for England if you are not in your club team.

“I am an awful watcher, and this whole experience has been massively frustrating for me.

“I had a lot of expectation for what this season was going to hold for me. It is so disappointing when you are told you are going to be out for eight months.

“All you can do is let it seep into your head, then knuckle down to some hard work.”

Giggs signs new United contract

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has signed an extended contract which ties him to the club until the end of June 2009. The 33-year-old has played 727 matches, including his debut for the club in March 1991 against Everton. Only Sir Bobby Charlton (759) has played more games for the club.Giggs told his club’s official website: “I am delighted to have signed for a further season.“I am enjoying football more than ever and I hope to carry on playing football for Manchester United for as long as I can.

“I would like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, the fans and everyone at the club for the great support I have received over the years.”

The former Welsh international has scored 141 goals and won 18 major titles in his time at Old Trafford, including nine Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and one European Cup.

Ferguson himself said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ryan has signed for a further season.

“He epitomises the word loyalty - he signed here as a 14-year-old school boy and is still with the club 20 years on.

“Apart from his playing ability he has a fantastic demeanour and is a great role model to the younger players.

“I am sure he will be at the club for a long time to come.”

Vidic on cue to sink Everton

Nemanja Vidic nodded home a winner seven minutes from time to complete a third successive 1-0 triumph for Manchester United at Everton.

The Serbian’s effort, a near-post header from Nani’s corner, enabled United to record a 13th win in 16 visits to Goodison Park and also keep pace with their major rivals.

Taken in isolation, a victory at one of the Premier League’s most progressive outfits is a cause for celebration. But Sir Alex Ferguson knows his side’s recent winning run is masking a few deficiencies in front of goal.

In six outings this season, United have still to score more than once even though Ferguson has added Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson to the top flight’s most prolific attacking force last term.

And, with the Red Devils due to begin their Champions League campaign in Lisbon on Wednesday and Chelsea due at Old Trafford next weekend, he needs to find a cutting edge fast.

Having threatened to unleash Wayne Rooney on his old club, Ferguson did not even have the young striker on his bench, presumably deciding the risk to the foot fractured on the opening weekend of the new campaign was too great.

Still, even with Owen Hargreaves missing as well, it was something of a surprise to see Patrice Evra lining up on the left wing, as both Nani and Louis Saha - United’s matchwinner against Sunderland a fortnight ago - were on the bench.

The experiment did not last a half, as Evra was quickly shoved back into the visitors’ defence when Mikael Silvestre went down in agony as his knee buckled attempting to block Mikel Arteta’s run forward.

Yet Evra had already shown his offensive talents, his raw pace possibly causing Everton more problems than Cristiano Ronaldo, who was well shackled by Leighton Baines on his return from a three-match ban.

Carlos Tevez dropped deep as often as he could, releasing Evra with one magnificent pass inside Tony Hibbert, only for the Frenchman to fire into the side-netting.

Although United gradually assumed dominance in a swift-moving encounter, David Moyes’ men succeeded in restricting them to a series of long-range efforts, with Michael Carrick among those to try his luck.

Vidic lost his balance at just the wrong time when Ryan Giggs dropped a corner into his path and the Serbian was already slipping to the floor when he skidded a shot wide.

Everton could be pleased with their defensive efforts though, and while Andrew Johnson and Ayegbeni Yakubu lacked support at times, they were quite dangerous at the other end too.

Indeed, had Yakubu not been hauled back by referee Alan Wiley for a debatable push on Wes Brown, the Nigerian would have been clean through.

Wiley had a difficult day. If he was not annoying the home fans by handing United dubious free-kicks, he was upsetting Paul Scholes by appearing to take more notice of the crowd than his own eyes when penalising the former England man for handball.

Scholes took exception to the decision and punched the ball away in frustration. Wiley immediately produced a yellow card and within seconds was being implored to brandish a red as Scholes wiped out Arteta near the United box.

Instead, the official called Scholes out to administer a final warning.

If the opening period had been short on goalmouth action, an expectant crowd did not have to wait long for a genuine chance in the second as Johnson rose to guide Arteta’s corner towards the far post, only for Scholes to volley off the line.

Scholes was certainly in the thick of things and, when Tevez combined brilliantly with Giggs to set the midfielder up with a potential goal of the season, the midfielder could only thrash his volley over.

Tevez actually came closer with a long-range effort on the hour, the failure of which heralded the introduction of Saha for Giggs.

The move did stretch Everton’s defence more than it had been previously but they continued to hold Ferguson’s team at bay, United’s frustrations only increased by a yellow card issued to Ronaldo for a dive inside the area under pressure from Leon Osman.

Yet, just as it appeared time was ticking down to yet another blank day for United, up popped Vidic at the near post to power home Nani’s near-post corner.

Belatedly, Everton threw men forward looking for an equaliser and Scotland’s midweek hero James McFadden had a shot magnificently saved by Van der Sar before Rio Ferdinand blocked Victor Anichebe’s follow-up.

For a short while, it allowed United to assume a position at the Premier League summit but Ferguson needs to find a more potent blend up front if they are to stand a chance of being there when it really matters in May.

Fergie rules out replacing Rooney

 Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of plunging into the transfer market to solve Manchester United’s striking crisis.Confirmation that Wayne Rooney suffered a hairline fracture of his left foot during Sunday’s goalless draw with Reading only worsened an already difficult situation for the United boss.

Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have only just returned to training after long-term problems, while Carlos Tevez is effectively only a week into his pre-season after an extended lay-off following Argentina’s Copa America campaign.

Ferguson is so short of orthodox forwards he ended up with John O’Shea partnering Cristiano Ronaldo up front against Steve Coppell’s men, so it was probably little surprise they failed to find a crucial breakthrough even against a side reduced to 10 men after the dismissal of Dave Kitson.

But Ferguson will resist the temptation to splash the cash once more, insisting he is happy with his current options, with Tevez almost certain to be handed his debut against Portsmouth on Wednesday.

“Carlos Tevez is available now and Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are training,” said Ferguson.

“With Wayne as well, we have four strikers so I am not looking at a situation where I have to add to that number.”

Nevertheless, the loss of Rooney for an extended period, following hot on the heels of the sales of Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi, presents a problem United could well do without.

Old Trafford officials have so far declined to reveal either the precise nature of Rooney’s injury, nor offer a recovery time.

However, given he left the ground with his foot in plaster on Sunday night, it would be a major surprise if Rooney was back in action within two months, ruling him out of a succession of key fixtures for club and country, including four crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers.

“There was a bit of swelling around the injury,” said Ferguson.

“There was no point him continuing because we have a long season ahead.”

Rooney’s injury overshadowed a strange contest in which United dominated and created plenty of chances without managing to put Reading’s goal under sustained pressure.

Ryan Giggs did hit a post, while the best of a string of saves from Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann denied Paul Scholes near the end.

DPMM FC bag the third spot.

Brunei DPMM defeated Pulau Pinang 3-1 at Stadium Bandaraya,Penang, lastnight to take the third spot of the Super League after Terangganu could only managed a 1-1 draw with Perak in its last match of the league at Perak,Ipoh.

Brunei DPMM and Terengganu are level on 44 points but DPMM have a game in hand and a better goal difference.

Pulau Pinang took the lead from a spot kick converted by Jaganahan when Shahrul Rizal was adjudged to have handled the ball on the 26th minute.

Despite the early setback, Brunei DPMM fought back and were rewarded when Sairol Sahri’s cross was lashed on by captain Rosmin Khamis to level the score one goal a piece on the 36th minute.

Heartened by the equaliser,Brunei DPMM stepped up a gear and took the lead two minutes later through top-scorer of the league so far,Md Shahrazen Said.

Shahrazen rocked the net of Pulau Pinang after controlling the rebound of his first attempt,which was blocked by Penang keeper,Said Ahmad.

After the break,Mohd Shahrazen added his league’s goal tally to 21 when he scored DPMM’s third goal on the night in the 46th minute from a header when the Penang keeper misread the direction of the ball.

Brunei DPMM will play its last game of the league against leaders Kedah on Augg 4 at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.