Burley defends Fletcher decision

Burley defended his team selection against Croatia

Scotland manager George Burley says he understands Sir Alex Ferguson's frustration following Darren Fletcher's injury in the friendly against Croatia.

The Manchester United midfielder is out for six weeks after suffering knee ligament damage at Hampden last week.

Sir Alex blamed "futile" friendlies for the 24-year-old's absence.

However, Burley said they were a vital part of his build-up to the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, adding: "I need friendlies and you don't get many."

Burley said he was disappointed Fletcher was injured following "a freak tackle" in the 90th minute of the 1-1 draw with Croatia.

Sir Alex said the midfielder should have been substituted after an hour.

Fletcher is set to miss Manchester United's title run-in

Burley said he shared the Manchester United manager's frustration, but stressed he did not want to lose to Croatia in his first game in charge of the national side.

"I respect everything Sir Alex says and I can understand it," said the Scotland manager.

"I said before the game that Darren Fletcher is a big part of the future of Scotland and he has done terrifically well for Manchester United.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't foresee that it was going to happen.

"If I knew Darren was going to get a knock I certainly would have taken him off but, as I say, he is very much a key player and I didn't want to lose against Croatia."

Burley said his role involved preparing Scotland to qualify for the World Cup finals and that friendlies were an integral part of that preparation.

"We had a get-together in February when virtually every other international team played," he said.

"I spoke to Fletcher after the game and he was really disappointed, as am I, but these things happen.

"You hope things like this don't happen but unfortunately this time it did."