Fletcher calls for focus

Fletcher: Concerned by lapses

Darren Fletcher believes Manchester United must learn to avoid the lapses in concentration that have marked the start to their season.

The Red Devils have dropped points from winning positions against Fulham and Everton this season, and nearly allowed the same to happen when Liverpool visited Old Trafford last weekend.

The Merseysiders came back from 2-0 down to 2-2 before Dimitar Berbatov completed a stunning hat-trick to secure victory for United.

Fletcher recognises that such a problem could prove costly in the title race and has called on his team-mates to stay focused at all times.

"There has to be a concern that we nearly threw another lead away," said the Scotland skipper.

"We have conceded sloppy goals through lapses in concentration in a number of games and were fortunate Dimitar pulled out the third goal to win the game.

"But we have to remember we threw away a fantastic lead.

"It is something we have to try and put to rest if we want to progress in the

Premier League."

Bolton test

United's next challenge is an away game against Bolton on Sunday and Fletcher knows it will be hard to come away with three points.

"A trip to Bolton is always difficult," he said. "When Manchester United are in town, the fans get up for it and the players get up for it.

"At Bolton, taking our scalp means a lot. We know what to expect from them."

Fletcher has been impressed by the way that Owen Coyle has shaped a Bolton side that retains its physical strength but also has several technically gifted players.

He explained: "Maybe they are more of a footballing side but they still have that physical threat.

"Owen Coyle is trying to stamp his mark on the team but the personnel is more or less the same.

"When you have two strikers like Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander, who are big and strong and powerful in the air, they are bound to try and get the ball into our penalty box from wide positions as quickly as possible.

"That is their strength and we will have to deal with it."