Manchester United must improve for crucial Chelsea game, says Wes Brown
• Brown calls for tighter defence after conceding three to CSKA
• United face Drogba and co at Stamford Bridge on Sunday
Wes Brown in action for Manchester United against CSKA Moscow. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
Wes Brown has conceded Manchester United will have to defend far better at Stamford Bridge on Sunday if they are to get anything out of their crucial Premier League match against Chelsea.
Both sides will go into the game with their Champions League knock-out place secure following draws last night. But while Carlo Ancelotti's men were pleased with their efforts against Atlético Madrid, United looked far less secure.
It took another injury-time strike, this time a deflected Antonio Valencia effort, to earn a 3-3 draw against a spirited CSKA Moscow side.
The ease with which the Russians scored their three goals provides huge cause for concern, especially as Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Rio Ferdinand is highly unlikely to return as he struggles to recover from a calf injury.
It means either Brown or Jonny Evans will continue in central defence alongside Nemanja Vidic, who should be fit. Brown knows that against the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, such defensive weakness will be punished.
"We cannot concede like that when we go to Stamford Bridge," he said. "We have to be tighter at the back and give the strikers the chance to do a bit of damage at the other end.
"It will be our toughest game of the season. They have been doing very well. They are a well-organised team and they will be very strong. They are scoring goals at the moment and we will have to be really on top form to think of getting any points."
Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher has spoken of his disbelief at the booking he collected for diving during last night's encounter.
When the Scot went down under Vasili Berezutsky's ill-timed tackle, it appeared a certain spot-kick. TV replays backed up that view but the Portuguese referee Olegário Benquerença showed Fletcher a yellow card for simulation.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already called on Uefa to amend their rules to allow appeals in such situations, mindful of the fact Fletcher missed last season's final against Barcelona through suspension. The Scotland midfielder admitted he was completely stunned by the decision.
"It was a penalty," he said. "I have turned and the lad has just swept me off my feet. I've not tried to fall or stay on my feet or anything. When the referee blew his whistle I just thought 'great, it is a penalty and we are back in the game'. When I saw he was walking towards me with the yellow card I could not believe it.
"I am not having much luck with these cards. Hopefully it will change in the later stages."
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