Darren Fletcher says Manchester United must aim to be Premier League champions next season to fulfil the demands and expectations of the club.
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The midfielder, 31, won five titles during his 12 years at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson.
And he says the pressure is on Louis van Gaal’s side to be No1, and not be content with a top-four spot.
Fletcher returned to Old Trafford on Saturday for the first time since his January move to West Brom and helped them snatch a 1-0 win – and cut fourth-placed United’s lead over Liverpool to four points with three games left.
But he said: “The aim for United this season was the top four – that was realistic.
“I think they will go on and do that, but then next season they have to challenge for the title.
“The fans expect it and Manchester United need to be there.
“I hate even saying accepting top four, but the fans and everyone will maybe accept it for one season, but that’s it.
“Any United side talking about accepting the top four is just not good enough.”
Van Gaal, who has targeted Gareth Bale, Mats Hummels, Memphis Depay and Nathanial Clyne among his summer signings, knows his side need to improve to become challengers.
They will head to Crystal Palace next week bidding to avoid four successive league defeats for the first time since 1979.
Most successful passes in the Premier League this weekend: Man Utd (628) Chelsea (450) Southampton (361) Spurs (359) pic.twitter.com/fwUpXaK6kZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 3, 2015
And Fletcher added: “They have to up it a level.
“They had the run before these last three games and played some fantastic football, but then three defeats come along and you think what has happened.
“I am sure they will spend, youngsters will be given a chance.
“The manager knows football and he has great belief in his methods that they will work and everyone has to buy into that.
“If anybody isn’t, it won’t work, but I think the United lads are buying into it and believe in it.
“He (Van Gaal) will be the first to admit he has learnt about the Premier League and how difficult it is compared to other leagues he has been in and the style you need.
“Hopefully that learning curve will help United next season.”
Fletcher’s focus now is on helping West Brom avoid relegation and, with a seven-point gap to the bottom three, they should be safe.
And boss Tony Pulis has hailed the Scot’s impact as he said: “He’s been the biggest influence in the club since he walked through the door.
“On and off the pitch he is wonderful.
“It’s a disappointment that [Gary] Neville and [Jamie] Carragher, very astute football people, have not gone into the coaching side.
“I hope and pray that Darren becomes a coach or a manager because he’s a top bloke, a really good guy.
“He’s a leader and he’s got great standards, obviously brought up by Sir Alex. Darren’s at the back end of his career but is in the same mould in lots of respects.”
