Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he feared losing Darren Fletcher before the Scot committed to a new deal.

Fletcher made his 11th appearance at Everton on Saturday, where he also scored his third goal.

"The relief of the season was to get Darren a new contract because there were a lot of clubs trying to buy him," said Ferguson. "He had one year left but he wanted more football.

"Leaving could easily have been a consideration simply because with Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes and Anderson there is so much competition."

Much like he did with Ronaldo, Ferguson decided to take direct action.

A face-to-face chat with his fellow countryman yielded the answers Fletcher had been seeking.

After joining United as a trainee - he would have made his senior debut as a schoolboy in 2000 had the FA not intervened - he had seen players like David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville quit for pastures new.

But he took Ferguson's word that he remained part of the manager's plans. And his performances this season have been so good, Hargreaves and company have not been missed.

"I just felt Darren is a United player," recalled Ferguson. "He is outstanding in big games, when he always does such a great job.

"I told him he had been brought up at this club and after January, he had been playing in all the big games until he got an injury and not to forget he came back and played some more.

"It convinced him to stay, which was what we wanted because now he is such an important player for us.

"He has developed his game and taken it to a new level."