United duo - We need big game

Players aim to bounce back from stuttering start at Stamford Bridge

Last updated: 19th September 2008

Darren Fletcher Manchester United Newcastle United Premier League Football

Fletcher: Looking to win

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Manchester United stars Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher are looking forward to the game against Chelsea on Sunday - and know important the tie is.

Last season's Premier League-UEFA Champions League winners have endured a stuttering start to this campaign, with only one win from their first three league games.

After losing to Liverpool at Anfield last time, they are already six points behind leaders Chelsea, and defeat to them at Stamford Bridge would leave them nine points adrift - a considerable gap even at this early stage of the season.

So both Evra and Fletcher know the importance of the Battle of Stamford Bridge, which will be screened live on Sky Sports 1 from 2pm on Sunday.

Confidence

Evra told the Daily Star: "We need to beat Chelsea to get back our confidence.

"We need to win for everyone to say: 'Manchester United are back.'

"The spirit is there and everyone knows the quality of this team.

"There is more character in this team than I have ever experienced in my career. Now, we need to show it against Chelsea."

Fletcher has taken heart from the team's display against Villarreal in the Champions League in midweek, when the Red Devils created several opportunities, although they did not score.

Frustration

He said: "Frustration is a big part of our situation at the moment but we'd be more disappointed if we weren't creating chances. There were a lot of chances against Villarreal and some good, attacking football.

"We have a team for the big games - and they don't get any bigger than Chelsea, especially after the start we have had in the league.

"We don't want to go too many points behind at this stage of the season. Playing catch-up would be a big task and so the focus now will be on recovering and preparing for Chelsea.

"They haven't lost at Stamford Bridge for something like three years. We desperately need the win - and we have the ability and players to go there and win."