Manchester United dressing room rift denied by Darren Fletcher, who says claims have 'angered' the squad

Fletcher says that the entire squad is behind manager David Moyes after they improved to record their first win of 2014 in the 2-0 win over Swansea City

Darren Fletcher has denied claims of a dressing room rift between the Manchester United players and manager David Moyes (GETTY IMAGES)

Darren Fletcher has laid bare the growing anger inside the Manchester United dressing room at claims there are splits in the camp.

United finally registered a victory against Swansea on Saturday after a terrible start to 2014.

The 2-0 win, courtesy of second-half goals from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck, should at least quieten the noise building up around manager David Moyes, even if a trip to Chelsea next weekend is likely to see it grow again.

Fletcher's frustration is that United's players have not been able to stop it much earlier.

For that may have ended the debate about Moyes' relationship with his players, suggestions of disenchantment over perceived preferential treatment of Wayne Rooney and even Sir Alex Ferguson's presence at matches becoming an unwanted sideshow.

"It gets us angry because we know it is not true," said Fletcher.

"We are there every day. The players are fully behind the manager.

"And Alex Ferguson being in the stand has no bearing on anything. It is great to see him there supporting the team. It would be a worry if he wasn't.

"We have got to believe in ourselves and keep a close-knit group, making sure that the experienced players are guiding the younger players in the right way. Winning games helps that."

There has been a feeling, going back long before Moyes' arrival in the summer, that United's army of critics were waiting for the club to fail.

That day does appear to have arrived, giving oxygen to all manner of debate, including over Moyes' future, even though there has been no such demand from the Old Trafford stands and leading United fanzine, Red Issue, has conducted a poll that puts the figure of those who support the Scot to be at 72.98 per cent.

"It is as if some people have been waiting for it to happen and are really relishing it," said Fletcher.

"We've got to use that as fuel to prove them wrong.

"We have got some great, talented young players in this squad. We have to keep reiterating to them that they believe in themselves.

"They will come through it without a shadow of a doubt and will be better and stronger for it.

"Hopefully they will be the ones passing on advice to the next generation when I am long gone."

PA