Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to thrust “big-game” player Darren Fletcher back into his Manchester United enging room for the Champions League visit of CSKA Moscow (Man United 1/3, draw 7/2, CSKA Moscow 10/1 Champions League match bets) on Tuesday.

The Scotland international (14/1 Each Way First Goalscorer), once the player the fans loved to hate, will be given the chance to improve his match sharpness against the Russians ahead of the Premier League test against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Ferguson recognises the 25-year-old has emerged as a key cog in the Old Trafford midfield in the absence of Owen Hargreaves and is convinced his countryman is finally getting the plaudits he deserves.

“Most people now recognise Darren Fletcher as a big-game player,” said Ferguson.

“We have been aware of that for quite a while. Now he is getting an acceptance that he is a very important player for us.”

Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Giggs will miss Champions League match day four, while new father Wayne Rooney and knee injury victim Dimitar Berbatov could also miss out.

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