Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney admitted after the Sunderland defeat on Saturday that Champions League qualification via a top-four finish is now very unlikely.
Rooney admits it will difficult to finish in the top four
United fell to a terrible 2-1 defeat on Saturday away at the Stadium of Light in a game that they needed to win to try and cut the gap to the top-four, with all the teams above them playing each other this weekend, but a defeat now makes it almost impossible for a top-four finish according to Rooney.
Rooney, speaking to BT Sport after the defeat, said that it "will be difficult to qualify for the Champions League through the top four now" with only twelve games to go in the Premier League and the gap currently at six points.
United weren't at the races against Sunderland, says striker
The Englishman was frustrated by the lack of chances that United created in the North East, adding that they "didn't create enough chances, weren't aggressive enough and didn't defend set pieces" which "cost" them, as the team's performance was very lethargic.
United now need to take the Europa League very seriously as it is now the best way for them to qualify for the Champions League next season. Starting with the game against FC Midtjylland on Thursday, United must win it and have the right intensity for the tie against the Danish outfit.
United captain says they have to try and win the Europa League now
On Thursday's game against Midtjylland, Rooney continued that it's "a competition we didn't want to be in" but admitted they're "in it now and want to win it" and says they "have to try and start again" on Thursday, knowing that Champions League qualification is the bare minimum at a club like United.
The Europa League is a competition that no team likes to be in most of the time, but given United's struggles, they must treat it as the best way to qualify for the top tier of European football next term, and United fans may have to accept that going forward.