Fletcher retains final dream

Darren Fletcher admits it was his boyhood dream to play in a major European final.

The Manchester United midfielder was cruelly robbed of a chance to face Barcelona in Rome in 2009 when receiving a harsh red card in the semi-final at Arsenal and was an unused substitute in both 2008 and 2011.

After performing well during the 4-0 thumping of Newcastle United on Saturday, the 30-year-old will hope to be given the nod by David Moyes to bring his energy and experience to the midfield in order to contain the superstars of holders Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. 

"For whatever reasons, I’ve not managed to play in a final," he explained at a press conference in Munich ahead of the quarter-final second leg. 

"Different circumstances have prevented me from playing in three of them. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a small boy to play in a Champions League final and winning tomorrow night takes us into the semi-finals and gets you closer to achieving that. 

"But it’s more important that the club and team get there than individuals and, if the team get there, then you do your best in the games and hope that you’re selected to play in it. But as I said before, the most important thing for us is to win tomorrow night and get ourselves in the semi-finals, then we’ll take it from there."

The Scot feels United have the perfect opportunity to avenge the narrow defeat to Bayern in 2010 when the fates conspired against Sir Alex Ferguson's side over two tense matches. Wayne Rooney was injured in the first game and struggled at Old Trafford while Rafael's sending off proved a turning point during an outstanding display that featured Nani at his very best.

"It’s a big disappointment looking back," he confessed. "There was nothing in the game out here but we lost two late goals which were quite sloppy. Then, after dominating the second leg, we were unfortunate to go out, I think. 

"Circumstances weren’t with us on the night after a great first-half performance. So yes, there is regret – but there’s regret every time you lose in the Champions League. But that is one I look back on and think it was a real missed opportunity because of how well we played over the two legs."