Darren Fletcher to be handed starting spot against Newcastle United

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that midfielder Darren Fletcher will start for the Red Devils against Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup next week.

The 28-year-old has not started a game for almost a year since contracting a chronic bowel condition last November but made a brief appearance during United's 1-0 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"Fletcher won't start on Sunday but he will certainly play against Newcastle and that is the perfect game for him to start back," said Ferguson.

"Then we have the game against Tottenham and he could be involved in that. It depends on how he does on Wednesday. It will be his first 90 minutes since 10 months out. It's a big one for him."

Meanwhile, the former Premier League champions are preparing to go head to head with arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday as both clubs pay tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans that lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster 23 years ago.