Darren Fletcher: 'Manchester United not out of title race'

Darren Fletcher celebrates scoring during the FA Cup game between Reading and West Bromwich Albion on February 20, 2016
© Getty Images
West Brom midfielder Darren Fletcher insists that his former club Manchester United are not yet out of the title race having recently returned to winning ways.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Darren Fletcher has claimed that Manchester United still have a chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

The Red Devils have suffered a tumultuous campaign in which the future of manager Louis van Gaal has been repeatedly questioned, but a run of four straight wins in all competitions has taken them through in the FA Cup and Europa League, in addition to closing the gap on the top four.

Another victory for Fletcher's former club against his current employers at The Hawthorns on Sunday would put them back level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, and the Scotland international believes that Van Gaal is beginning to get to grips with managing in the Premier League.

"The scrutiny is there at Manchester United - I experienced that under Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes, that's just what it is at that club," Fletcher told reporters.

"The club's expected to win titles, challenging for the top four is not what the fans want, it's not good enough for Manchester United. That's the challenge that he's facing and I think he's realised that now. The form's picked up dramatically the last few weeks and the young lads have come in and done fantastically.

"They've found themselves in a position now where the top four is a realistic possibility and the title's not out of the question. I'm not saying they're going to win the league but they are thereabouts now and if anybody can put a run together they're probably going to go on and do it.[Van Gaal] is a fantastic coach, he's proved that. I think the Premier League has been a very difficult challenge for him, I think he'll be the first to admit that he's found it a lot more difficult than he expected."

West Brom also go into Sunday's match in good form, however, having lost just two of their 10 league games since Boxing Day.

Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal pictured in 2010
Read Next:
Redknapp: 'Mourinho will face tough task at United'
>
Related Video
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester31199354312366
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs311710456243261
3Arsenal30167748301855
4Manchester CityMan City30156952322051
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham301311647351250
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd30148838271150
7Southampton31138104132947
8Stoke CityStoke31137113437-346
9Liverpool2912894540544
10Chelsea30101194541441
11West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom30109113037-739
12Everton29911951411038
13Bournemouth31108133850-1238
14Watford30107133032-237
15Swansea CitySwansea3199133140-936
16Crystal Palace3096153240-833
17Norwich CityNorwich3177173254-2228
18Sunderland3068163655-1926
19Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3067172955-2625
20Aston Villa3137212258-3616