• Champions League final

Only Fletcher can shackle Barcelona - Fabregas

ESPN staff
May 26, 2011
Cesc Fabregas is aware of Darren Fletcher's combative style © Getty Images
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Cesc Fabregas feels Manchester United should start with Darren Fletcher in Saturday's Champions League final with Barcelona, as the Arsenal captain feels the Scot is the only player capable of shackling Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Fletcher's place in the side is far from secure as there are concerns that he is not match fit following a couple of months on the sidelines with a virus. But Fabregas believes Sir Alex Ferguson should roll the dice and hand Fletcher a starting berth at Wembley, as he does not feel anyone else in the side is capable of keeping the Barca midfield under control.

"Manchester United will play against Barca as they did against Arsenal, with three men in midfield that guarantee soundness," Fabregas told El Mundo Deportivo. "Fletcher joins the team when Ferguson has opted for a midfield three.

"There's also Anderson but I do not think he will play at Wembley. Fletcher is the only player in the United team who can do a man-marking job on Iniesta and Xavi."

Fabregas believes how Barcelona cope with the aerial threat posed by United will play a key role in the outcome of the final.

"Ferguson is aware of the physical superiority of his team and knows that United's best chances may be from mistakes and corners," Fabregas, a product of the Barcelona academy, said. "This strategy is the key in the finals.

"A dead ball for [Nemanja] Vidic is dangerous. Rio Ferdinand does not go up all the time, but I think in the end he will when it matters. United are extremely combative."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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