Savage: Man Utd’s Fletcher had no answer to Arsenal whiz Ramsey
16.11.09
Derby County star Robbie Savage says Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher was turned over by Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey on Saturday.
Discussing Wales' 3-0 whitewash of the Scots, Savage says Fletcher struggled to live with his teenage opponent.
Savage said: "Darren Fletcher is a fantastic player - far better than I'll ever be - but what you want to see from him is taking his Man United form into Scotland matches.
"The clash of the day for me was Fletcher v Ramsey. Ramsey took the game by the scruff of the neck and he controlled the midfield battle. He was sensational and I don't think you'll ever see a better display from a kid of that age in a Wales shirt."
But he also defended Fletcher, adding: "When you play alongside better players sometimes they will bring the best from you. I know that myself.
"No disrespect to anyone for Scotland, but when you are playing alongside the likes of Paul Scholes and the rest of the lads at Man United you know you can give them the ball in tight areas and you'll get help.
"Against Wales, Darren didn't get much help and he was probably missing Scott Brown.
"I'm not going to knock Darren Fletcher because he's a great player, better than me. But you can understand what people say about expecting more for Scotland.
"It's a different level, but when I went to Derby people expected more from me and I couldn't do it."