But the Scotland midfielder has consoled himself with the knowledge the interlude may interrupt the flow of a rampant Liverpool.

United looked extremely likely to charge to a third successive Barclays Premier League title until Liverpool's 4-1 victory at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men then lost at Fulham on Saturday to allow Liverpool to move one point behind as they thrashed Aston Villa to take their goal tally to 13 in three games.

So, while Fletcher is eager to get United back to winning ways against Villa on April 5, he is not too concerned with the delay.

"We would have liked another game straight away to respond to a couple of difficult games," the 25-year-old said.

"We would have been desperate for another league game.

"But I think Liverpool would have been wanting the league to continue, so you never know. We just have to deal with it."

Fletcher added: "It's easy for me to say it's only a blip but we have to go out on the park and show it's only a blip.

"We will be desperate to get back and show it's only a blip."

One United player who is not absent from his club during international week is Edwin van der Sar.

The goalkeeper rejected a request to come out of international retirement for Holland's World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Saturday.

Holland will now go with current Ajax second-choice keeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Fletcher is thankful he will not face his team-mate in Amsterdam for more than one reason.

"He mentioned that he had been asked to go back," Fletcher said. "He came back to help out recently but I think he had made his decision to retire.

"When you see his performances this season, that decision has been justified. He is helping his club career by doing that.

"He realises Man United are playing at a high standard and he wants to be ready.

"I don't know if the manager had a word in his ear because he was playing Scotland!

"But he made the decision and I like to think that's good for Scotland."