Scholes: Premier League is priority, not Champions League

Paul Scholes says reclaiming the Premier League title is Manchester United's top priority next season - over success in the Champions League.

While current champions Chelsea yearn for a first European Cup triumph, Sir Alex Ferguson's players are desperate to re-assert themselves as the country's dominant football force by taking the title back to Old Trafford.

United missed out on a record fourth straight title and an historic 19th in all by finishing just one point behind Chelsea last season. And Scholes, who with fellow United veterans Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville is likely to be entering his final season, wants to sign off on a high if it proves to be his farewell campaign.

"We'll have to see how it goes but, as a team, we want to get back on track after finishing second to Chelsea last season," said Scholes.

"It wasn't great for us. Obviously we would have liked to have won the league, but the injuries we had last year were a massive blow for us.

"We just hope we can stay injury-free next season, play a bit better and hopefully win some more trophies."

Scholes expects an even more fierce title race next season, with Manchester City spending big, Tottenham hoping to build on the success of their fourth-place finish and traditional title rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all vying for top spot.

"It's always been a competitive league and last season showed that," said Scholes. "Spurs had a bit more money to spend and they spent it well.

"They managed to get into the Champions League, which is difficult to do in England because there are so many tough places to go and strong teams to play against.

"Obviously Manchester City, with all their money, just missed out on the Champions League, but I'm sure they will be right up there again this season."

Although Scholes turns 36 in November, his quality and influence for United has not diminished, with Sir Alex Ferguson rationing his appearances in recent seasons to ensure he gets the best out of the man his peers still regard as the best player of his generation.

Scholes, who like fellow old-boys Giggs and Neville is on a one-year contract, insists he has not yet made up his mind about when he will quit United and will see how he fares next season before making a decision on his future.

"I've been lucky to play with some great players and they help you out, but obviously you need to look after yourself to play at the age I am," said Scholes. "Hopefully next season can be a good one again for me.

"I don't know if it will be my last season. I heard that somewhere, but I only take games as they come and, if I'm feeling okay and doing what I have to do, we'll see what happens at the end of next season.

"I just want to concentrate on playing for United as long as I can do."

United take on Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in the second game of their pre-season tour of Canada and the US, following their opening 3-1 win over Celtic in Toronto.

"Pre-season isn't a quiet time for us," said Scholes. "It's when we try to get ready for the season, so we'll be training twice a day over here in the US and then playing the games.

"With the hot weather it can be difficult, but hopefully the work we do here will stand us in good stead for when the season begins."