Wayne Rooney’s former club currently sit sixth in the table (Picture: Getty)
Wayne Rooney has assessed Manchester United’s chances of finishing in the Premier League top four to secure Champions League football next term.
Rooney’s former club currently sit sixth in the top-flight after 26 games – eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa – with 12 fixtures remaining this term.
United lost 2-1 at home to Fulham in their last Premier League match following a run of four successive top-flight victories and next face Manchester City.
Ahead of that match, legendary Red Devils striker Rooney has played down United’s chances of finishing in the top four this season under Erik ten Hag.
Asked if the FA Cup was a welcome distraction for United, Rooney told the BBC: ‘I’d say so. It’s the last opportunity to win something this year.
‘Champions League [qualification] is going to be difficult for them to make this season.
‘To go on and win the FA Cup… the last time we won it was 2016, so it’s a huge game [against Nottingham Forest].’
Man Utd faced Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty)
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Meanwhile, Rooney has encouraged United star Marcus Rashford to work harder for the club.
‘He’s a player who’s come through, he’s got a massive amount of potential and already shown a lot of that, but I think for different reasons he’s found this season difficult,’ Rooney added.
‘We’ve obviously seen stuff in the headlines. But for Marcus the main focus is get your head down and more importantly work hard, I think that’s what everyone wants to see.’
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