Fletcher Proud Of Battling McNair

Darren Fletcher paid tribute to Manchester United team-mate Paddy McNair for the defender’s battling performance in the win at Yeovil Town, despite playing for much of the match with a head injury.

McNair clashed heads with the home side’s Kieffer Moore during the first half of the Reds’ 2-0 victory at Huish Park, but soldiered on after both he and the Yeovil striker were treated on the pitch for several minutes.

Injuries to Luke Shaw and Rafael, that forced the pair off at half-time, showed how important McNair’s brave contribution was to the third-round win. The 19-year-old sported a headband similar to one famously worn by a blood-stained Terry Butcher on England duty in 1989, and earned him praise from midfielder Fletcher.

“Credit to the players, but look at Paddy McNair,” he told MUTV. “He had blood gushing out of his head, a Terry Butcher headband on, and he dug in deep right until the end and showed real character today. I’m very proud of him.

“There were a lot of players who had never played in the FA Cup before, but they really stood up strong today, were counted and helped get a great result.”

United finally went ahead through Ander Herrera’s volley on 64 minutes, sealing victory with a chip from Angel Di Maria late on, but as Fletcher admitted a missed close-range opportunity for Yeovil’s Moore early in the second half proved to be crucial.

“There was one glaring opportunity that they had. They didn’t take it, which would have made it very difficult but you’ve got to expect that these things might happen,” Fletcher added. “Fortunately for us, they didn’t take it and then Ander scored a fantastic goal. Sometimes it takes a moment of magic like that to win you a match.”