Fletcher returned to action after a month's absence with an ankle injury against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night, just in time for Sunday's crucial Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

And it would seem the Scot will be one of the first names on Sir Alex Ferguson's team-sheet too.

Certainly, United missed Fletcher's battling qualities against Liverpool a fortnight ago, with the hole his injury left proving just as troublesome to fill as it did in Rome last May, when Barcelona ran riot in the Champions League final.

Ferguson is unlikely to leave his team similarly exposed at the weekend now Fletcher is a proven top-class performer.

For a player whose early days in the Red Devils' first-team were dismissed rather crudely, the plaudits must sound nice.

But Fletcher insists he is not taking them too seriously.

"I take the compliments with a pinch of salt," he said.

"I enjoy these matches as much as anyone and I put pressure on myself to perform more than anyone does.

"The challenge of playing against the top-class players that Chelsea have is one I look forward to and I will be doing my best to win the match.

"But I am not going to make-or-break a games like this."

As someone who, during Jose Mourinho's time with the Blues, scored a winner against Chelsea at Old Trafford, Fletcher understands completely how tense such affairs can be.

With the Londoners currently sitting on top of the Premier League table and United two points adrift in second, there is no reason to believe Sunday's showdown will be any less fraught.

Not that Fletcher feels it will have a massive bearing on who eventually goes on to clinch the championship. There is far too much football to be played for that.

"Sunday is a massive game. Games against Chelsea always are," he said.

"It is not going to make-or-break who wins the league by any means, although it is an important benchmark.

"Maybe psychologically it might have an effect. But Chelsea are a top-class side and we will respect them."

It is seven years since United enjoyed the taste of victory at Stamford Bridge.

They have managed a couple of draws there in the last three years, although they are split by the ill-tempered defeat in April 2008 which landed Patrice Evra with a four-match suspension.

Respective combatants from both sides are hoping for a less fractious affair this time around, with Fletcher purely focused on collecting those long-awaited three points.

"It would be good to win," he said.

"We have had a couple of draws down there but we have still not managed to win in the league and we are desperate to do it.

"But we will go there with a game-plan and try to get a result."

Fletcher will hope to emerge from last night's outing in slightly better shape than he went in.

His latest injury has been a frustrating one to recover from and he knows it will take a bit of time to regain full fitness.

"It is nice to get back into the team and get 90 minutes under my belt because I have not played for a while," he said.

"I felt fine, which was the most important thing, although I was not 100% with my touch and awareness on the pitch. But the game will help and, if selected, I should feel the benefit on Sunday."