Wayne Rooney Talks Manchester United's Premier League Finish, FA Cup Final, More

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney admitted he and his team-mates won't complain about failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League after finishing the Premier League season in fifth place.

The England international said the Red Devils simply weren't good enough this season, per the Guardian's Jamie Jackson: 

"

It is the worst amount of goals since 1990. We haven’t scored enough goals this season. In the Premier League, after 38 games, you finish where you deserve to finish. There are no complaints from us as players. We weren’t good enough to finish in the top four this season and we need to improve on that next season.

"

United beat Bournemouth 3-1 on Tuesday to finish the season with 66 points, the same as rivals Manchester City. The Citizens had a far better goal difference, however, and qualified for the Champions League as a result.

Combined with their embarrassing Champions League group-stage exit, the 2015-16 season was a disappointing one for United, who could still win a trophy if they beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

The team has played bland, uninspired football for most of the season, and fans aren't happy. Banners like this have been spotted regularly inside Old Trafford, via GuardianSport:

Manager Louis van Gaal has received most of the blame, but the players have received their fair share of criticism as well. Per WhoScored.com, club captain Rooney finished the Premier League campaign with just eight goals, and that simply won't cut it.

His statistical output has dropped over the past two seasons, and with youngsters such as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford ready to take his place, his long-term future at Old Trafford suddenly looks in doubt.

James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images

The 30-year-old knows his goalscoring form has taken a hit in the last two seasons, however, and he told reporters he should move to a midfield role on a permanent basis next season:

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I think sometimes you have to make choices in your career, and at the minute it is probably better for me to play deeper. Now obviously it is a bit different with England, still being a striker for England. But certainly after that [Euro 2016], for next season, that [midfield] is probably where I see myself playing.

You’re involved in the game more and I fee like I can dictate games more from there and try and control the tempo of games, which I felt I did quite well.

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The Red Devils had little to play for on Tuesday, but that didn't stop Van Gaal from sending a strong starting XI onto the pitch, opting not to rest the bulk of his starters for the FA Cup final.

According to Rooney, it was the right decision, and he's determined to finish the underwhelming 2015-16 campaign on a high note:

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I think it was important we went out and we played and gave everything to win the game because I know what it’s like when you try and save yourself, contain a bit of energy. That’s when you tend to pick up injuries. We took the game seriously tonight and it showed in the performance.

Of course a club of this size, with this history, we want to be playing in the biggest competition. It is very disappointing not to make it, but we’ve got to pull ourselves together for the game on Saturday. Hopefully we can end the season on a high.

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Van Gaal is yet to win his first major piece of silverware with United, and a loss against the Eagles could mean the end of his tenure at Old Trafford.

Rooney also complimented Rashford, saying he "fully deserves" the chance to represent England at the 2016 UEFA European Championship.

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