Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher backs 'important' Dimitar Berbatov to remain at the club - goal.com

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher backs 'important' Dimitar Berbatov to remain at the club - goal.com

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has chosen to ignore rumours of an impending exit for Dimitar Berbatov and hailed him as an "important part of the team."

Fletcher, 26, has become a terrace favourite at Old Trafford in recent years, but the same cannot be said of the Bulgarian. After arriving for a club record £30.75 million fee two years ago, the centre forward has yet to hit the heights he reached at Tottenham Hotspur and only bagged 12 Premier League goals last term.

That disappointing return had seen him linked with a move to Bayern Munich or AC Milan. Speaking at a press conference on United's pre-season North American tour, Fletcher was quick to dismiss the rumours.

"Dimitar is a great football player has fantastic footballing ability and I can't see him going anywhere," Fletcher said.

"I think he's an important part of the team, it's a squad game here at Manchester United and he's an important part of that squad.

"Personally, I think he's a really good guy, I get on well with him. He's a great lad to have around the squad with lots of experience.

"For all these younger players in the squad and younger strikers, I'm sure they can learn a lot from Dimitar Berbatov."

The Scot was also convinced United's World Cup 2010 stars - such as Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra - will use their disappointing performances in the tournament to usurp Chelsea next term.

"Club football and international football is completely different. All the players who went to the World Cup went to win it, but unfortunately Spain won it and there will be disappointments in that respect but I'm sure they'll be looking forward to the start of the season," Fletcher said.

"The lads who went will be looking forward to challenging Chelsea in the Premier League. The goal every season is to win the Premier League and the Champions.

"There'll be enjoying their break now but when they come back they'll be as hungry as ever to achieve success with Manchester United."