Fletcher: I Aim To Be In The Middle Of Treble Push

Feb 10 2008 Mark Guidi

Man Utd V Man City Today, Kick-Off 1.30pm Live Sky Sports 1

DARREN FLETCHER has revealed Manchester United are ultra determined to clinch the treble this season because they're still hurting from only winning the league last year.

United's hopes of emulating the class of '99 were destroyed by AC Milan in the Champions League last four and Chelsea in the FA Cup Final last term as their glory charge crumbled.

But Fletcher insists if Sir Alex Ferguson's side hadn't suffered some horrendous injuries to key players they could have won all three competitions.

Now with a stronger squad and almost everyone fit he is adamant United are ready to deliver on all fronts.

Today it's Manchester City in the league, next weekend they face Arsenal in the FA Cup then take on Lyon in the last 16 of Europe's top club competition a few days later.

Fletcher loves the hectic schedule of big games and said: "At this time of year we have a saying at United: 'The season starts now'. There will be no rest or dropping off until the end of the campaign.

"We were in a similar situation last time and felt we had a chance of winning the treble.

"But we ended up with 13 fit outfield players at one stage and had youth team guys on the bench.

"If all our best players had been available we might have achieved better results and could, for example, have gone to the San Siro and played a different style of game against AC Milan.

"It was still great to win the league but the manager felt aggrieved it wasn't more. I think it still sits uneasily with him. Nowwe have a chance again and feelwe can do the treble. There is a real drive and focus this year to win as many trophies as we can.

"With Carlos Tevez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney on form it is possible for us to achieve anything. All three are top footballers, unbelievable in action."

Fletcher is disappointed to only have made six starts this season.

The midfielder, who has held talks with Ferguson over his situation, has admirers in the Premiership and both the Old Firm would try to sign him if they were given encouragement.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Fletcher leave in the summer, even on loan for a year.

He said: "I am frustrated and the boss knows it. I hope I'm involved inmore games during the second half of the season.

"My career at Old Trafford has always been about being patient and usually I tend to work my way into the team at this stage." Fletcher knows he will also need regular first-team action by September to be sure of a starting place in George Burley's Scotland line-up.

He is desperate to play a part in getting Scotland to the 2010 World Cup and said: "We came close in the last campaign but now need to look at how we can do better such as defending set pieces. Small things can cost you.

"Holland will be favourites to qualify but I've spoken to the English lads about Macedonia and they were impressed. Iceland and Norway will also be tough.

"But hopefully the new manager can take us on again to another level."