BLANC IS A FLETCHER FAN

From the Times

Laurent Blanc, the legendary France player, last night admitted he knew former team-mate Darren Fletcher was going to be a big star — because Sir Alex Ferguson told him.

Blanc made his competitive debut for his country at Hampden Park in 1989 in Scotland's famous World Cup qualifying campaign win. He went on to win 97 caps and helped to lead France to success in the 1998 World Cup, although he was suspended for the final. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan player spent the last two years of his career at Manchester United, helping them to the Premiership title before retiring three years ago.

And he revealed how Fletcher was clearly destined for big things when he was singled out by Ferguson. “I knew Darren when I was at Manchester, although he was just a young kid. He was already training with the first team and going away with us to games,” Blanc said.

“One day, Sir Alex pulled me aside and said: ‘See that young boy there? He's going to be a great player for us.' I have followed his career since and he has done very, very well to play for a team like Manchester United every week. I'm delighted he plays for Scotland, too, because I remember that he had great ability.”