United lost 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday and fell out of the cup competition. It is the first time since 1981/82 that the Red Devils have bowed out of both domestic cups in their first draw in the same season.
After failing to qualify for Europe this season, the club is faced with the prospect of a season without silverware.
Despite that disappointment, interim manager Fletcher has insisted there is plenty to play for. He said qualifying for the Champions League should be the aim in the run-in. United are currently three points outside the top four, ahead of this weekend’s Manchester Derby.
“Well, it’s not a great moment. Yeah, let’s be honest, out of the cups early,” he said.
“But like I said, there is still a place in the Champions League to fight for and I still think that can be achieved this season. 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 aim this season is, with the quality we have and the positions in the league and how tight it is, they still have a lot of league games to go where they can achieve that.
“So it should be that way [what] where all their focus and energy goes. Improve as a team, improve quickly and don’t waste the season. And I think that would be the challenge I would set.
“That’s the challenge that the players probably feel like they have to achieve this year. And anything other than that is really just noise. That’s where all their energy and focus has to go.”
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