UEFA To Rule On Fletcher

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary body will meet on Monday to discuss Darren Fletcher's Champions League semi-final red card against Arsenal.

United have appealed to European football's governing body to overturn the dismissal - which rules Fletcher out of the final against Barcelona - because television replays show that the midfielder actually played the ball, rather than Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas in conceding a late penalty.

Earlier on Friday, Sir Alex Ferguson had confirmed the Reds' compassionate letter to UEFA, although he admitted that he held out little hope of the decision being overturned.

"I’m not optimistic at all, but we have to do it for Darren," he told his pre-Manchester City press conference. "It’s in fairness to him and sometimes, when everything’s addressed, you never know. But I don’t think it’ll be overturned.

"I honestly believe the referee made the right decision at the time because from his angle and from where I was, I thought it was a penalty. You see the replays and it’s obvious that Darren has managed to get his leg round and flick the ball away from Fabregas, which was incredible."

Sir Alex feels Fletcher was perhaps the victim of his own diligence at the Emirates Stadium, but is proud of the way the 25-year-old handled the heartbreak of missing a second successive Champions League final.

"Darren’s so honest that where an old stager might just have said (to Fabregas): ‘Go and score,’ he still was determined enough to try and do his job," said the manager. "He’s not an over-emotional boy and he accepts it. It’s disappointing for him obviously, but he takes great credit for the way he’s handled it all."