United set high targets for next season - Fletcher

Winning the FA Cup is considered a great achievement for any side in England. Manchester United lifted the coveted trophy in Cardiff last month but by their own standards, the 2003/04 season was rather disappointing after an early elimination from the Champions League and then failing to retain the Premiership crown.

Those setbacks, according to United's Darren Fletcher, were not detrimental however. Speaking at a press conference at the Corinthia San Gorg, where he is currently residing with four other young team-mates, the 20-year-old said the desire to win major competitions next season is even more stronger. The hunger for success never wavers at Old Trafford.

Fletcher, along with Chris Eagles, Colin Heath, David Jones and David Fox, are here on an invitation by the Manchester United Supporters Club.

"Winning the league and European Cup is always on top of the agenda for a big club like Manchester United," Fletcher said.

"Last season, everything seemed to be in place for us at first. In December, we were leading the Premier League and doing well in Europe.

"But then, at the turn of the year, things started to go the wrong way. The suspension of Rio Ferdinand was a massive blow for our chances. Luck was not kind on us as well.

"If you look at the second leg against Porto we were a few seconds away from the quarter-finals only to concede an injury-time goal that proved fatal. Had we made it through that match, I'm sure the season would have finished differently."

On a personal note, the past campaign was full of positives for Fletcher. He won a regular place in the first team and scored his first goal for Scotland.

He also had the honour to captain his national team in a friendly against Estonia last month. However, the talented midfielder is not resting on his laurels.

"It was a remarkable season for me," Fletcher remarked. "Winning an FA Cup medal, captaining Scotland and scoring my first goal for the national team are all memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life."

Scotland failed to make it to EURO 2004, but Fletcher is still an interested spectator.

"All my Manchester United team-mates have done well," he said.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only players left now. I wish them luck both and hope they'll meet in the final."

Last week, the visiting United players were the main guests at a reception organised by the supporters club, this year marking their 45th anniversary. On that occasion, United fans had the opportunity to meet the players and take pictures with the FA Cup, in Malta for the occasion.

"Before I came here I had spoken with Gary Neville and other players who visited Malta on what to expect," Fletcher said.

"They had told us how passionate the Maltese fans are. On what I've seen Gary was more than correct. Here, we get five-star treatment everywhere we go. All this affection fills us with great courage to do even better and bring more happiness on the faces of our Maltese fans."

Alex Ferguson's policy of investing in exciting talent has again been mirrored in the past few weeks in the capture of Alan Smith, Gabriel Heinze and Liam Miller.

Jones, Midfielder of the Year in the reserves league last season, believes the club's policy on young players was the main reason why United have been so successful over the years.

"The manager has always maintained that the club needs to invest in junior ranks to plan long term," Jones said. "It's a huge plus for us to stake a claim for a first-team place. It's not easy... there's tight competition but that is good because it keeps all players motivated."