Absent From The Morning Head Count

(Image from here)

Not much around today, internationals distracting attention. Pretty much everything revolves around Darren Fletcher quotes.
The Independent point out how missing the final in Rome has enhanced Fletcher's reputation:

Fletcher's absence against Barcelona in the final at Stadio Olimpico and the United midfield's subsequent struggle to contend with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez have, to Fletcher's mind, contributed something unexpectedly valuable to his own reputation. "People talk about Rome and the fact that I couldn't play because of the suspension but sometimes you become a better player in some people's eyes when you don't play," he said. "That's been the only thing anybody has ever said to me all summer: that I might have made a difference. It has been nice to hear that."

It was a compliment that Sir Alex Ferguson was the first to pay as the inquisition into United's 2-0 defeat to the Catalans began. "I thought before the game it may have been a problem, he is a big-game player," Ferguson said minutes after the final whistle, and the net result is that Fletcher can finally go into a Premier League season with not just hopes of a regular place in United's starting XI but expectations. "I feel as though I am right in there and fighting for my place in the starting line-up now," he said. "Though I know that I can't take anything for granted because you only have to look at the quality of the players who can come in."

The Mirror report his comments on Ronaldo and beyond:

"Cristiano is a great player, an unbelievable player, and he was a major part of our success when he was with us," said Fletcher.

"But it's a team game as well and a lot goes into a winning team. We still have the nucleus of that, but we've also added players like Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia.

"They've both looked really good. Michael has scored a few goals and Antonio’s performance against Valencia was fantastic. So we feel like we've added a bit of quality as well.

"We've always been tight and we have a great defensive record to back that up, but maybe we've been a little bit too expansive in recent seasons.

"But the Manchester United ethos is all about attacking football and that's what the fans expect.

"You can't be wide open all the time, though. You have to be disciplined and I think you'll see a more rigid 4-4-2 formation this season, with the ability to go 4-3-3 when needed."

Elsewhere, the only other story of note is some speculation on a new keeper from The Manchester Evening News:

UNITED could be looking to step up their pursuit of another senior goalkeeper with Schalke's Manuel Neuer on the radar. ...

German sources indicate the Reds have already been monitoring Schalke's highly-rated 23-year-old.

Neuer was wanted by Bayern Munich during the summer but Schalke blocked their Bundesliga rival's interest, though they did say that `crazy money' might force a rethink. ...

Neuer is making a big name for himself in Germany.

The 6ft 4ins Gelsenkirchen-born keeper helped Germany win the UEFA Under-21 championships in Sweden during the summer when they beat Stuart Pearce's England side 4-0 in the final.

He was also promoted to the full national squad where he won his first cap on a tour of Asia in June.

In 2007 he was rated the best keeper in the Bundesliga and then in 2008 was ranked the top keeper in the Champions League.

The `crazy' cash that could trigger a sale by Schalke is understood to be around £25m.

United are unlikely to shell out that kind of money for a goalkeeper. But if Schalke were to soften their stance at some point the Reds might be prepared to consider Neuer as a valuable addition to the squad.

And finally, if anyone is interested, Peter Beardsley on Michael Owen. In shocking opinions he thinks that Owen is a goal scorer, that he may get back into the England squad, and that he's a good signing for us. Thanks go to The Telegraph for bringing us this news...