Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has come out in support of midfield team-mate Darren Fletcher after Roy Keane reportedly slammed the player in the wake of United's 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.
Keane criticised several of his team-mates in an interview which was subsequently pulled by the club's television station MUTV before it went to air.
Fletcher was believed to be among those named by Keane but Howard, who will face his team-mate when America take on Scotland in a friendly at Hampden on Saturday, had only praise for the midfielder.
"I've never heard him (Keane) saying it but I would imagine he does rate Fletcher," said the 26-year-old goalkeeper.
He is someone who gets his work done and doesn't think he's more than he is, so how can you not rate him? His best qualities are his engine and understanding of the game.
"He gets around the park and playing next to Keano helps because of the influence he has. Darren has never been over-awed at United. The big games don't rattle him and he has the confidence of the manager, that's why he's been able to play as many games for United as he has.
"Obviously he's still a young player and he's trying to find his way even with as many games as he has under his belt. I'm not really sure where I would rate him in the pecking order at United but to keep his place in the starting XI as a young man is fantastic - it speaks for itself."
