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'Big game' Fletcher won't face Chelsea

Manchester United's have missed Darren Fletcher's thrust from midfield © PA Photos

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Sir Alex Ferguson feels Darren Fletcher is on target to be fully fit for the Champions League final, but has revealed the midfielder will not start for Manchester United in their crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

Fletcher made his return to action with a 20-minute run-out against Schalke on Wednesday, having been sidelined for two months on account of a virus. The midfielder is stepping up his training regime in a bid to increase his sharpness, but he will not be involved from the beginning against Chelsea.

"It is a step forward," Ferguson said of Fletcher's appearance in midweek. "The boy has got a bit to do. As far as the final is concerned, he has three weeks. So that is his target. If he does reach it, it will be a big boost to us as he is a big-game player.

"Wednesday night was to give him a boost. He won't start on Sunday, but his training has stepped up in terms of sharpness. I have got the Blackburn game, Blackpool and even Gary Neville's testimonial game so he is on target."

Wayne Rooney was rested against Schalke on account of a tight hamstring, and with the Chelsea game in mind, but he will be at full tilt for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti's men.

There is plenty of debate on which striking line-up Chelsea will field, but whether it is Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres or both, Ferguson feels he has the players to combat the threat.

"To be honest I have no idea," Ferguson said when asked if he had a view on the side Ancelotti will field. "I was at the game last week and could not get any clues. Drogba played the whole game so I expect him to play.

"No matter what they do, we have the players to handle it anyway. We have experienced players in Ferdinand and Vidic and they have performed so well."

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