FLECK’S BID TO TURN UP HEAT ONREDDEVILS
JOHN FLECK insists Manchester United have lost none of their glamour despite their grief.
And the midfielder is desperate to claim another big-name scalp for surprise package Sheffield United.
Fleck has helped the Blades rise to fifth in the Premier League on their return after 12 years away.
Chris Wilder’s men have held Spurs and Chelsea to draws on the road plus beaten Arsenal at home.
Not since Brian Deane scored the first goal of the Premier League era in a 2-1 victory 27 years ago have the Blades beaten United in a league game.
If Fleck and Co make it two in Sunday’s showdown then they’ll be four points clear of the Red Devils.
The Scotland star said: “Manchester United are still glamorous and still one of the biggest clubs in the world. They have some unbelievably talented individuals at Old Trafford although they’ve had their injury problems as well.
“But we’ll go into this one with the same attitude as always – determined to take something from them. I grew up watching United and it’ll be a great occasion to take them on – especially for our fans – and hopefully they don’t fancy coming to our place.
“Scott McTominay is a good player although I’m not sure that he’ll be fit to play in time for this one.
“But we’ll be looking to get another positive result and I hope he’s back in their team soon.
“The Premier League is very difficult, especially against the big names. The
BY GAVIN BERRY
majority of teams you face have four or five worldclass players in their ranks while we don’t really have any stars in our side.
“But we make up for that by working as hard as we can for each other. Coming up against Liverpool has been the biggest challenge.
“We lost 1-0 at home and I played reasonably well but they have top-class players all over the pitch.
“Fabinho has been my toughest opponent. He probably doesn’t catch the eye as much as some others do but he’s very good technically and has a great mindset.
“Everyone wants to reach the top – that’s certainly always been my ambition – and I’m doing well there at the moment.
“We all have different pathways in our careers but the majority of the lads in our squad have come up through the lower levels.
“The manager’s a winner and he’s very honest, straight down the middle.
“What you see is what you get with him. Whether he’s speaking to the Press or the boys in the changing room, he’s always the same – a bit like Steve Clarke with Scotland.”
Fleck won his second cap on Tuesday as Scotland beat Kazakhstan 3-1.
And the former Rangers midfielder hopes keeping up his sparkling club form can cement his place going into the Euro 2020 play-offs.
Fleck said: “These are the big games you want to be involved in and there will be a great atmosphere when they come around.”