DARREN FLETCHER admits he and his Manchester United team-mates are now playing for their futures.

United bowed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night with a 3-1 defeat that sent Bayern Munich through to the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate.

United's season is now effectively over, with little hope that they can bridge the seven-point gap that separates them from fourth place with five matches left.

But the players who have let the club down in a very disappointing campaign must not now allow their season to simply fizzle out, says Fletcher.

David Moyes will rebuild heavily over the summer. The Scot has already talked to targets who he says are keen to come to United despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1995, so Fletcher knows it is now a battle to be kept on.

"The boys have got to play well to stay in the manager's thoughts for next season," the Scotland midfielder said.

"There is talk of a lot of changes so if you get an opportunity to play you have to go out there and perform and show the manager that you want to be at United, that you are capable of being at United, and you are good enough.

"A lot of people will say there isn't a lot to play for now, but there is - you are playing for personal pride and to be in the squad for next season."

Fletcher has seen United reach three Champions League finals in his 14 years at the club, so the idea of not being among Europe's elite does not sit well with him.

"Watching the Champions League next year will be difficult to take," he said.

"We are used to playing in it all my career. This will be the first time we are not there."