Gutted Wayne Rooney: Top four will be 'difficult' for Manchester United after Sunderland defeat

Updated 13/02/2016 at 16:16 GMT

A sombre Wayne Rooney conceded that Manchester United will struggle to qualify for the Champions League next season after a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney talks to referee Andre Marriner

Image credit: Reuters

A mini-revival came crashing to a halt as Wahbi Khazri’s early strike and David De Gea’s late own goal contributed to a damaging defeat for under-fire manager Louis van Gaal.

The result leaves United six points off the top-four pace, a gap which could grow to seven with 12 games to play if Manchester City beat Tottenham on Sunday.

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Rooney was very down in his post-match interview as he surveyed a damaging result at the Stadium of Light.

"Don't think we created enough chances, weren't aggressive enough,” Rooney told BT Sport. “Disappointing result.

"It'll be difficult to qualify for Champions League and the top four now so it's a sad day for us in terms of losing the three points and we have to somehow move on.

"You don't know how this Premier League works at times, the Europa League is a way in but that's a long way away.

"Every game is a big game for us and we have to try and start again on Thursday."