Fletcher denies Old Trafford exit talk

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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 Barclays 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."