Manchester United have the best squad in the Premier League claims Darren Fletcher

Darren Fletcher says Chelsea's attacking style can leave them open (Getty Images)

Darren Fletcher is adamant Manchester United have the best squad in the Premier League.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has today repeated his belief that the Blues are the better team despite last Sunday's 3-2 win for United at the Etihad Stadium which took them six points clear.

Not surprisingly, Fletcher has a different take on the situation.

"We always feel we have the strongest squad around," he said.

"In terms of starting XI and strength in depth we have a quality squad.

"There is so much competition for places. Some of the matches on the training ground are really intense because everyone wants to play and be involved.

"That is great for the manager, especially when you get the number of injuries we have had."

Not that Fletcher is taking anything for granted.

Having blown an eight-point lead in the space of four matches at the end of last term, no-one at United will be celebrating until the trophy has been returned to Old Trafford.

"It feels good to be six points clear," said Fletcher ahead of tomorrow's trip to Sunderland.

"It was good to win the derby, especially after what happened last year but it is important that we kick on and think just because we beat Manchester City and are six points clear we take it for granted.

"We have to keep pushing on and putting pressure on City."

After last weekend's visit to the Etihad Stadium, another reminder of the crushing manner of last season's failure comes with the arrival of Sunderland, whose fans extracted such glee from United's demise on the final day.

"That feeling never goes away because you remember losing moments more than you remember the winning ones because of the sheer disappointment," he said.

"The manager always tells you to remember how it feels because you don't want to feel like that again.

"It is good to have bad moments because they fuel you and drive you on."

PA