Crerand: Fletcher Is First Choice

It's easy to jump on the bandwagon and praise Darren Fletcher's performances, but Paddy Crerand believes his fellow countryman has been turning in outstanding displays for years now, and he considers the Scotland skipper to be United's first-choice central midfielder.

"For me, he is an automatic pick," Paddy said on his phone-in show on MUTV on Monday. "For the big games I think the manager would pick Fletcher, he'd be first on the team sheet.

"Darren has made the point that he wants to be the number one choice in midfield. And he's playing well enough to be number one. I almost don't need to make the point for him, he's making a strong enough case himself.

"He was outstanding against Wigan and outstanding against Arsenal. And against Tottenham and Manchester City, you want him in the midfield."

Fletcher has been thrust into the spotlight, particularly this season, but Crerand rejects the notion that he is United's most improved player. "He's been playing like that for quite a few years now," he added. "I think the fans are starting to appreciate him, that's the only difference.

"For a long time Darren was a scapegoat. When he came through he played alongside Roy Keane and Paul Scholes and there aren't many players in English football, never mind for United, who've been as good as those two. That's the standard that was set, but Darren's got better and better.

"He's a tremendous passer and doesn't get the credit for that sometimes. All you hear is that he gets in at people. But he is enthusiastic and whole-hearted, and fans love that."