Fletcher Outlines 2014/15 Title Aim

Manchester United's primary aim for the new season is to bring the Barclays Premier League title back to Old Trafford, vice-captain Darren Fletcher has told United Review.

The Reds finished seventh in 2013/14 and are tipped as outsiders for the championship crown this time around, despite new manager Louis van Gaal guiding the club through a hugely successful pre-season tour that yielded six consecutive victories against top-class opponents.

In an exclusive interview with United Review, the official matchday programme, Fletcher was single-minded about his expectations for the campaign and dismissed any notion of amended expectations at Old Trafford.

"We're out to win the league," he says. "You start every season at Manchester United with the aim of winning the league. I don't think this club should ever fall into the trap of being satisfied with finishing in the top four. That's not the Manchester United I know.

"You play football to win trophies especially at this club. It's a dangerous mindset to be getting into if you start thinking you'd be happy to get into the top four and everybody around the squad is thinking about winning the league."

The opening game of the season musters plenty of excitement in the stands with fans keen to assess the new era. Fletcher aims to ensure the occasion does not detract from the players' performance on the pitch.

"You have to harness it and use it as a positive," Fletch says. "We know last season was disappointing and the fans are desperate for us to put it right and that's what we want too. The fans will definitely be excited to see the boss and the new signings. That should translate into a good atmosphere, which, in turn, usually helps us play well on the pitch. We all have to push in the right direction and use it as a positive."