Wayne Rooney plays down Manchester United’s chances of finishing in the top four

Have they thrown in the towel?

Wayne Rooney looked like he's just been told his family dog has to be put down. The Manchester United captain didn't try hide his disappointment following the team's 2-1 loss away to relegation threatened Sunderland. The defeat means United are still six points adrift of Manchester City in fourth place, but their rivals have a game in hand, due to played tomorrow against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite there being 12 games to play in the Premier League, Rooney said "it will be difficult" for United to qualify for the Champions League via the top four, and that it's "a sad day." "We have to somehow move on." https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/698524338908049409 https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/698524591543595008 United manager Louis van Gaal also told BT Sports that his side face a battle to qualify for Europe's top club competition, concededing it "shall  be very difficult" and it's "too much at this time." https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/698525553725280258