Fletcher: We knew Wolves would bare their teeth

Wolves 1, United 2

DARREN Fletcher insists Manchester United never expected life to be easy at Wolves.

The final match of an extraordinary Saturday in the Barclays Premier League provided an unexpected ending as the top flight’s bottom club came from behind to record a 2–1 win over the leaders, ending their 29–match unbeaten run in the process.

Given Arsenal’s failure to hold on to a four–goal lead at Newcastle, it was a huge opportunity missed,

leading to a search for explanations from the visiting camp.

But one word was not mentioned. There was never any chance of United becoming complacent.

“There are no easy games and no given matches,” said Scotland skipper Fletcher.

“We don’t go into any game thinking we will just win. You have to perform.

“Wolves are fighting for their lives. They have been mightily unlucky this year and their performances have not been rewarded with points.

“They play the way their manager is. They are in your face and press for 90 minutes. They constantly put you under pressure and play percentage football. “We knew it was going to be difficult and so it proved.”

That United had blown an opportunity to open up a seven–point lead at the top of the table, and had been given the perfect start by Nani’s third–minute opener, only added to the frustration in the visitors’ camp.

The sense of famous comebacks at Blackpool and Southampton recently had hung in the air long before it was achieved. This time there was none.

Wayne Rooney — who wasted an outstanding opportunity to double United’s lead before George Elokobi levelled — struggled to control his temper, Ryan Giggs’ halo slipped slightly when he chopped down Kevin Doyle after the whistle had gone and Paul Scholes blatantly attempted to push the ball past Wayne Hennessey.

United still find themselves in a healthy position, but are aware that defeat in next Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford will have them nervously looking over their shoulders.