Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has explained leaving Darren Fletcher out of his squad for their Champions League clash at Braga.

Central midfield pair Fletcher and Paul Scholes are out of the game.

Asked about Fletcher and Scholes, who is 38 this month, Ferguson explained: "Fletcher had a little bit of a cold on Sunday and there is no point in taking him travelling with a cold.

"With Scholes, for the last few weeks I have been resting him, looking to freshen him up a bit.

"I'm just taking care of an old man, that's all!"