DARREN Fletcher has revealed how a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008 convinced him to stay at Old Trafford.

DARREN Fletcher has revealed how a chat with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008 convinced him to stay at Old Trafford.

Birmingham had been interested in taking the midfielder to St Andrews when the 26-year-old was struggling to hold down a first team place at United but Ferguson insisted the midfielder remained a key part of his plans.

“I was still having doubts because I was in a fairly strong position with only a year left to run on my contract,” recalled Fletcher in an interview for the official Carling Cup final programme.

“If there was a time to leave it would have been a good opportunity.

“But the manager came to me. The contract talk was put to one side and our discussion was mainly about playing time.

“He said there had been offers but he didn't want me to go.

“I listened to what he had to say and just decided I did have a future at the club. Fortunately it turned out that way.”