Wayne Rooney admits it would have been a disaster if Manchester United had failed to finish in the top four this season.

Following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2013, the Red Devils struggled last term, eventually coming home seventh.

It signalled another summer of change at Old Trafford, with Louis van Gaal taking the reins but, for all his talk of philosophy and tactics, the Dutchman had difficulty adapting to the demands of English football.

However, United soon found their rhythm and despite losing some momentum towards the end of the campaign, did enough to book their place in next season’s Champions League.

Van Gaal is once again likely to open the chequebook in the summer in a bid to add more recognised names to his squad, as he plots a potential run at the Premier League title.

This season was all about the top four, however, and United skipper Rooney concedes that finishing below the Champions League spots again would have been a disaster for the club.

He told Sky Sports: “The least we wanted was a top-four finish because, after last season, for this football club it would’ve been a disaster if we didn’t make the top four.”

“It would have been nice to win some silverware – that’s why the Arsenal defeat in the FA Cup was so disappointing – but in terms of the Premier League, the most vital thing for us was getting in the top four.”

After the trials and tribulations of this term, United are currently joint third 5.50 favourites to win next season’s Premier League title, with champions Chelsea leading the betting at 2.38.