Darren Fletcher has admitted that Manchester United are desperate for game-time in order to get their faltering title challenge back on track.

Two consecutive defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Fulham have derailed United's campaign and they are eager to play again to prove their worth as champions.

"We would have liked another game straight away to respond to a couple of difficult games," said Fletcher.

United have conceded six goals and scored only once in their two defeats, while Liverpool have scored 13 in only three games. This is a trend that Fletcher and his colleagues will be keen to reverse.

"We would have been desperate for another league game. But I think Liverpool would have been wanting the league to continue, so you never know. We just have to deal with it." The 25-year-old argues the only way United can prove their form is just a blip is by getting out on the field and playing. "It's easy for me to say it's only a blip but we have to go out on the park and show it's only a blip," he said.

Scotland face Holland in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, and Fletcher is relieved his United team-mate Edwin Van der Sar has chosen to remain in retirement. "I don't know if the manager [Scotsman Sir Alex Ferguson] had a word in his ear because he was playing Scotland!

But he made the decision and I like to think that's good for Scotland," said the midfielder.

- Telegraph.co.uk