Fletcher before Carrick's appointment: Man Utd must target UCL seat

Darren Fletcher has urged Manchester United to push for a Champions League spot in the Premier League after their FA Cup exit.

The Red Devils lost 2-1 to Brighton in the third round on Sunday, seeing them be eliminated from their opening tie in both the FA Cup and EFL Cup in the same season for the first time since the 1981-82 campaign after their loss to Grimsby Town in the latter competition in August.

Fletcher, who also took charge of United’s 2-2 draw with Burnley last week, was appointed as interim boss after Ruben Amorim was sacked last Monday, though he is not expected to stay in the role for long.

Michael Carrick is set to become interim head coach for the rest of the season after widespread reports on Tuesday.

Steve Holland, who was Gareth Southgate’s assistant at England, is set to be Carrick’s number two, while Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans will also be part of the backroom staff.

With United three points behind fourth-place Liverpool in seventh, Fletcher believes they are capable of securing a place among Europe’s elite for next season.

“Well, it's not in a great moment. Yeah, let's be honest, out the cups early. But as I said, there's still a Champions League place to fight for and I still think that can be achieved this season,” said Fletcher.

“And it's probably not what fans want to hear about Manchester United because you should be winning cups and challenging for the Premier League.

“But probably the objective this season, with the quality we've got and the league positions and how tight is, they've still got a lot of league games left that they can achieve that.

“So, that should be [what] all their focus and energy is going into. Improving as a team, improving quickly, and don't waste the season. And I think that would be the challenge that I would set.

“That's the challenge that probably the players feel like they need to achieve this year. And anything other than that is just noise, really. That's what all their energy and focus has got to go into.”