Players facing up to the test of stay-or-go

"TRUE character reveals itself in difficult times."

- By TYRONE MARSHALL

That was the view of Darren Fletcher, who has already been through one season that ended Manchester United careers and is now involved with another.The 41-year-old was part of the coaching staff when United fell apart under Ralf Rangnick four years ago and although this squad is clearly more unified than that group, Fletcher accepts it could be another season when some players fail the kind of test that Old Trafford offers.

United have fallen at the first hurdle in both cup competitions and will play just 40 games this season. If Michael Carrick is to take charge for the remainder of the season, he has just 17 games in four-and-a-half months. There will be long gaps between games, but as miserable as everything feels right now, Champions League qualification is still a possibility this season.

Fletcher used his press conference after the defeat to Brighton to lay down that challenge to the players, while making it abundantly clear it is up to them to raise themselves as well. If they fail to do so, then it might spell the end for a few.