Man Utd's Fletcher not moving

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has dismissed speculation he is on the verge of a move to Birmingham, instead stressing he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old Scotland international is confident he will be given more chances by Sir Alex Ferguson to stake his claim for a regular first-team slot after seeming to slip down the pecking-order. Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was previously rumoured to be considering making a move for the player.

Fletcher was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I never heard anything about Birmingham being interested - I just want to be here for a long time. It is frustrating because any player wants to play. My only focus is on being ready when the manager needs me and being able to perform for the club when asked.

"Basically, it has been down to the form of the midfield. Fair play to Anderson, when Paul Scholes got injured, he came in and has been in great form. The manager has stuck by him, which is what he does when you perform well, and has had a run in the team.

"We will see how things pan out at the end of the season in terms of games played and what you have contributed to the squad. But I am not thinking about that just now."

Probably more speculation than anything and Fletcher does seem keen to remain at Old Trafford for as long as possible. But with the former Scotland boss now in charge at St Andrews, these sort of transfer window links are to be expected.

Though if Fletcher doesn't get a run in the Manchester United first-team before the summer - and he has only made 15 appearances and six starts this season - perhaps he is a player who could be worth looking at more closely, and realistically.