Just like last year, the Red Devils have opened their Premier League title defence in disappointing fashion.

Twelve months ago Reading left Old Trafford with a share of the spoils. This time it was Kevin Keegan's Newcastle who caused the shock.

While Keegan will hope to avoid the fate that eventually befell Reading, for United there is little time to dwell on the two dropped points.

Most of Ferguson's players have international commitments to fulfil before the Red Devils take on Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Monday.

Then, once United have met Zenit St Petersburg in the Super Cup on August 29 and their players have competed in World Cup qualifiers for their countries, they face back-to-back away trips to Liverpool and Chelsea.

It could hardly be tougher, but Fletcher would not have it any other way.

"It is a tough start," admitted the Scotland midfielder.

"But we look forward to the big challenges and hopefully we will rise to them as we normally do."

It would seem the immediate challenge for Ferguson is to sign Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian has been at the centre of a saga almost as long-winded as Real Madrid's ultimately fruitless pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Given Berbatov has now expressed his personal desire to join United, the chances are that a deal will happen.

Yet, as United proved with Ronaldo, total intransigence can sometimes prove successful, although former Tottenham player Jamie Redknapp is not confident Spurs would benefit from such a stance.

"Tottenham need to get rid of Berbatov," said Redknapp.

"If they are not careful they will end up with neither the player nor the money.

"Manchester United cannot rely on Louis Saha and he would be perfect for them."

While no-one at Old Trafford, least of all Ferguson, will make knee-jerk decisions based on one result, unless Saha suddenly rediscovers full fitness, an unlikely scenario based on his past history, United are a striker short.

That even includes Fraizer Campbell, who made a reasonable debut yesterday but can hardly be expected to carry the fight for Ferguson's team should either Wayne Rooney or Carlos Tevez not be available for any reason, as happened with the Argentina forward.

Tevez's return to South America due to a family bereavement was a blow Ferguson could have done without given Rooney is so short of match practice.

The former West Ham striker has been outstanding in pre-season and if he had been available, United might not have struggled quite so badly.

"Tevez has looked so sharp in pre-season," said Fletcher.

"He didn't have that luxury of pre-season last year and he was onto something special.

"It was disappointing to lose him considering the number of players we are missing up front but he will be back as will the others.

"We were missing quite a few but we should have been good enough to win."

Fletcher can at least be pleased with his own contribution, filling Ronaldo's right-sided midfield berth effectively and grabbing United's all-important equaliser, steering home Ryan Giggs' low cross two minutes after Obafemi Martins' opener.

With Nani also suspended for Monday's encounter with Portsmouth and both Michael Carrick and, possibly, Ryan Giggs joining a lengthy injury list, Fletcher looks certain to keep his place at Fratton Park as United look to ensure they do not lose any more ground on their major title rivals, who all started with a win.

"We have given everybody a head start and now we are playing catch-up," he reflected.

"But we have been in this position before. It is only day one of a long season.

"It is another match under our belts fitness wise, most of us will have one more with the national teams this week and I am sure we will be raring to go by the time we get to Portsmouth."