Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher fears he is being singled out by referees as a result of comments made by Arsene Wenger earlier in the season.
Wenger didn't name the 25-year-old directly but accused United of 'anti-football' after their 2-1 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford in September before adding his disbelief that 'a certain player' had gone unpunished.
Fletcher insists the accusation he is a dirty player is now coming back to haunt him after he was adjudged to have fouled Chelsea's Ashley Cole in the clash between the top two in the Premier League on Sunday.
The decision was to prove pivotal as John Terry headed home from the free-kick to hand the Blues a 1-0 win and go five points clear at the top of the table.
Fletcher told the Manchester Evening News: "It was clearly not a foul.
"I knew at the time and I have watched it again on the replay. I back-heeled the ball and Cole just jumps up in the air and the ref gives a foul.
"I think we are starting to see Mr Wenger's comments starting to influence referees which is a shame really.
"Now we have to raise our game and ensure these decisions are not affecting the game."
Your Comments
NIck_K_AFC
"Fergie will be next to mention Wenger. When Arsenal have been lagging in the league in the past few years he's been nice to Arsene and praising. As soon as we're (hopefully) in the race the handbags will be out."
teeball
"After reading these comments I ask myself one question, Are the schools on holidays? United fans, this article was all down to Darren Fletcher (after going in studs showing) blaming a manager for bringing his foul play to the attention of referees, even though that manager didnt mention his name. Instead of backing hime if I were ye I'd be embarrassed for him. Nevets below put it best when he mentioned the fact that if Man U dont win its someone elses fault, and their manager is proving this with ever increasing frequency...and long may it last "
Cesc_Bomb
"arvey1 - we have enough talent to cope IF Febregas decided to leave. Our young players are growing up and it's there for all to see. The same as Fergie has made some bad choice's in recent years - it's there for all to see. It shows how desperate people are becoming when they have to rely on Febregas leaving Arsenal to even things up. The good thing about Arsenal is, we have a team. That's why we've had 16 different goal scorers this season.
Oh look, I responded without resorting to name calling."
arvey1
"Cesc_bomb - yes we could be found out just like your team will when "DNA" - Barcelona bound Fab will return to his home, after having a holiday in North London, so pipe down mug bfore and go through another trophyless season. What's that, 5 seasons u said? "
Cesc_Bomb
"alyanasa - Yes, Arsenal lost to United but if you cast your mind back to that freak game, you would have seen the difference in class between the two sides. United lost to Burnley - are Burnley the better side? United have relied heavily on Ronaldo for the past few seasons, even Tevez scored his fair share of vital goals. You mention other players who have left but I don't remember Cantona scoring 42 goals in a season. I get the impression from United fans that all of a sudden the team will start dominating and scoring loads of goals. Who exactly is going to score these goals? Valencia? Berbatov? Nani? Carrick? Arsenal on the other hand have, Arshavin, Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott & Rosicky chipping in with goals, not to mention the strikers. Gallas & Vermaelen have around 10 goals between them FFS! Diaby gets a lot of stick but he's scored as many goals as Berbatov has this season. Your defence won you the title last season but even that has fallen apart this season. I know United have a knack of coming good but I just can't see enough quality in that team of yours."
gunnerous
"Poor mancs . . What goes around comes around. Wenger didn't even mention his name - guilty conscience then?
so he was a good tackler, then, sweeping thru Arshavin then no pen given?
Eat humble pie - you win some, lose some. Just deal with it!!"
chrisd_b
"I am gobsmacked at some of the comments from Utd fans. I can quite understand wanting to stick up for your team and players. But I would be ashamed if I was a Utd fan to see a player such as fletcher in the team.
Utd used to have class with their bite, nobody is arguing the fact you need the hard, tough tackling midfielder, to break up play and put a foot in. Arsenal could do with someone like that for the tougher games ahead, as much as I love Song.
But Fletcher...come on!! This player is a joke, dirty cheating - is not football, and sticking up for him shows how little class you have and limitied appreciation of football and the spirit it needs to be played in.
Gone are the 70's for a good reason. We don't need to go back in time. its about entertainment and playing good stuff and battling for a place as the team to watch and follow.
Man U if carrying on in this vain - will drop like a stone in appreciation by the FA and officials. Because your team are turning into cheats, whingers and moaners, due to the fact they have not been able to compensate for the loss of ronny he fellover..
"
johnoshea
"nevets - Its lose, not loose. "
alyanasa
"Cesc_Bomb.......Arsenal will always be up there, until end of the season when the guns will start misfiring again....as in previous few seasons. Your comment, coming from a side already lost to Man Utd, is laughable. Man Utd lost Ronaldo, yes, but Man Utd hv also lost Robbo, Cantona, Van Nilsterooy and Keano in the past and still emerge as champions or thereabout."
fattychin
"Even if Flectcher's comment is unwarranted, I hope it achieve its objectives of getting the referee's attention to stop finding fault with Fletcher's games either unintentionally or sub consciously. "
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