Fletcher: Keane can continue to wield influence
Darren Fletcher is convinced Roy Keane can remain as the “frightening” force at Manchester United for a few more years.
The youngster is upset at suggestions his inspirational captain plans to leave Old Trafford in the summer especially as he is still learning from the Irish grand master.
Fletcher claims his team-mates cannot get near to the Republic of Ireland international on the training ground which backs his claim Keane is leaving too soon.
“His influence on me has been little words here and there and me just looking at him, watching the way he prepares, what he does in certain situation,” he said.
“That’s how I have learned from him – by taking a back seat and watching him.
“He’s the best trainer at the club, he’s brilliant at it and you can’t get near him.
“I know he’s 34 and he has said he would like to play for a couple more years and I don’t see that being a problem for him as I see him in training and he’s frightening.
“Roy’s a great player and I would love to see him stay at Manchester United for a few more years.”
The 21-year-old Scotland star, who is away on international duty for their World Cup qualifiers with Belarus and Slovenia, admits United lose their way when Keane is not leading his team-mates into battle.
The former Nottingham Forest favourite is currently out of action after breaking a bone in his foot but his absence in the past has often resulted in a drop of form from United.
“When Roy’s not playing we miss that natural leader in the middle of the park,” added Fletcher.
But the Edinburgh-born starlet believes United will quickly go some way to raising the gloom of losing another legendary figure by winning trophies.
Fletcher went as far to suggest a more than adequate substitute can be found right under the nose of Alex Ferguson – but he is not ready yet.
He concluded: “It’s not something that I am totally comfortable taking over yet.
“It’s hard to replace Roy. In fact it has been well documented that you can’t replace Roy and you can’t.
“We just hope that whoever plays from myself, Alan Smith and Paul Scholes can add something different.
“It might not be exactly the same as Roy Keane but hopefully just as effective.
“It is going to be the hardest job replacing Roy and whoever comes in will be labelled as the new Roy Keane but we have just got to get on with it and maybe by winning a few trophies we can say ‘look, we are not Roy Keane’.
“He is a legend and an inspirational leader but we can do all right.”
Fletcher has also thrown his own hat into the ring for that role further down the line having insisted his best position is in the centre.
“I have always seen myself as a central midfielder,” he said.
“When I first came into the team I featured on the right because Cristiano Ronaldo did not settle as quick as everyone would have liked.
“But now he has he is a permanent fixture there and I have been in the centre since.
“It was a three with Roy in the centre and myself and Scholes either side.
“There has now been a change with two in the centre.
“It’s a position I have played all my life so I am comfortable there.
“I play a different role in the centre now and I see it more as controlling the game. It’s a different approach to the game.
“I have had to grow up as when I first came into the team I had a right wing role but it was not my natural position.”
