Fletcher: The battle to start is on March 11 2008
Manchester United's Darren Fletcher believes that fierce competition for places will be the motivation for the team in achieving three trophies this season.
United are already in the Champions League quarter-finals and face Portsmouth on Saturday aiming to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
After spending much of the season on the fringes of Sir Alex Ferguson's side, the midfielder has started three of the last five matches and is relishing the opportunity to shine.
Fletcher said: "When you get a chance to play you really have to grasp it because there is such fierce competition for places.
"The manager has a great squad to choose from so when you do get the nod you have to go there and perform to a high level.
"There is always someone capable of taking your place in the next game."
Whether the Scottish international keeps his first-team shirt against Pompey is open to debate, but he has certainly made a case for being retained in the starting line-up.
Two goals against Arsenal in the last round, a rousing 4-0 win, and fine performances against Newcastle and Lyon - in the Champions League this week - have stated his case.
The 24-year-old said: "This situation is great for us as a club, and individually, because there are going to be a lot of games for everyone as we get down to the nitty gritty. Hopefully our squad will carry us through in all competitions."
The Red Devils will be odds-on favourites to reach the last four, with even Blues boss Harry Redknapp admitting this week after Pompey's defeat at Everton: "Playing against United is always a very tough match, nobody has any doubts about that.
"But we will go there with confidence and give it a go, we have been playing well and did not deserve to lose at Everton. Let's see if we can put that behind us with a win at Old Trafford, you never know."
And Fletcher accepts that the south coast club, virtually out of the race for a European spot from their league position, will see this game as their last chance of achieving something this term.
Fletcher added: "We know that Portsmouth will come to have a go at us, that's their style. But we will be ready for them, we have had four days to recover from the Champions League game this week."