Fletcher: We Want Our Title Back

Sir Alex's midfield lynchpin was hurt by last season's disappointments and, as he told Inside United, is itching to get back on the trophy trail...

How much did losing out last season hurt?
It was extremely disappointing for us. This club expects success and although we won the Carling Cup, we just didn’t do enough in the league and Champions League. It’s up to us to refocus, look at what happened last season and move forward. Hopefully we’ll have more luck on the injury front and also learn from the experience of last year. It’s certainly given us an extra determination for this season and hopefully that will help us.

Was it a shock to lose the title after winning it for the past three years?
You just feel very flat. After three fantastic years of winning the league, it was hard to take especially as we really wanted to make it four in a row. We have to look ahead now - there’s definitely a different feeling within the camp after losing out in the big competitions last season and, as I said before, there’s even more determination amongst the lads because of those disappointments.

Has the outcome of last season been on your mind over the summer?
It’s definitely been a summer of reflection in terms of what happened and what we could do better. Of course, there are times when you switch off when you’re with the family and you need to relax, but a lot of the time things were flashing through my mind. You think about certain games and moments and incidents that happened. You always need that little bit of luck to be successful and we didn’t always get it last season – you only need to look at the couple of decisions that went against us in the two Chelsea games and the injuries we had. If those things go your way you’re likely to be in a different position.

Is the cliché true about disappointments giving you extra motivation?
Yes definitely. The best thing about winning is the great feeling you get and when you don’t win there’s that lingering disappointment which drives you on to go again. It definitely helps strengthen your character and make you more determined to achieve success.

Have you talked as a group about the goals for the season?
It’s something you do all the time really. You can be sat down in the dressing room or having lunch and you talk about things that happened last season and what we want to achieve this season. That happens throughout the campaign. This club is all about moving forward and improving. We don’t want to stand still and we’ll do everything we can to make sure we keep getting better and being successful.

Do you feel the league is there to be won back?
Yes, definitely. There’s no question the Premier League is getting stronger every year - City have spent money, Spurs are in the Champions League, Liverpool have a new manager and Chelsea and Arsenal are always there. So there will be a lot of teams thinking they can win the league. But every season Manchester United are always there or thereabouts and we expect to be there again.

Can you identify the key factors that will win United the title back?
It’s a combination of things really. You need luck with injuries, good from at the right times, last-minute goals which the club are so famous for… all these little things need to go your way and hopefully they will.

Which players do you think are going to shine this term?
Wayne had a fantastic season last year and everyone will be expecting the same again this time, including him and he’s certainly capable of repeating the feat. I think you’ll see even more improvement in Antonio [Valencia]. He had a fantastic first season for us and I think he’ll have a big part to play in the campaign, as will Nani who came on so much last season. Everyone has to be improve and that’s something the young players in particular will be hoping to do. The likes Macheda, Welbeck and Diouf and the da Silvas are all getting more experienced and are all desperate to impress and show what they can do. So overall the squad is looking very strong.

What about the new boys?
Chris [Smalling] has settled in really well. He’s a great guy and a big strong lad for his age. He’s another one to add to the list of great centre-halves we have at the club along with Rio, Vida and Jonny. He’ll learn so much from playing alongside Rio and Vida and training with them every day. He’s definitely got a big future ahead of him. Hernandez looks really sharp. He's young, quick and looks really hungry and has already scored a few goals for us.

You have become one of United’s key players and leaders in recent seasons – is that responsibility something you thrive on?
Yes, it’s something I enjoy. As you get older and become more experienced you start to take on more responsibility and find your voice in the dressing room and on the pitch. It’s natural really - you feel yourself growing into an important part of the team. You’ve got to keep pushing yourself though because as soon as you think you’ve made it and you’re a big star things can turn round in an instant and you could fall flat on your face. For me, it’s all about making sure I keep doing the same things I’ve been doing, continue to improve my game and not let anything slip.

Can you see yourself following Gary, Ryan and Paul and becoming a one-club man?
Well, I can’t ever imagine being anywhere else. For me, there’s nowhere better than Manchester United and if I can play my whole career at this club I’ll be a very happy man. Everything about the club – the fans, the facilities and the structure of the club – is fantastic and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. There’s something very special about staying at one club for your whole career - the likes of Gary, Ryan and Paul are all legends at Manchester United and to get anywhere close to that would be a real achievement.

Have you set yourself any new goals for the season or identified specific areas of your game you’d like to improve?
I don’t tend to set particular goals, I just try and improve myself as a player every day and every season. That’s the biggest thing – to keep improving every season and not stand still. Ryan, Paul and Gary are the examples to follow – even at their age, they’re still looking to try out new ideas on the pitch and in the gym to help make them better. They’re an example to everyone at the club and we’re very lucky to have them here. What they’ve achieved in the game is phenomenal and they’re an inspiration to everyone.

Has the manager been his usual energetic self in the lead-up to the new season?
He’s been as enthusiastic and determined as ever. The great thing about him is he can have a laugh and joke, but he’s always there to reiterate how important it is to play for Manchester United and what’s expected of you then you’re playing for the club. The determination and appetite he has for the game rubs on everyone else.