Manchester United beat Everton in the Premier League on Monday to secure a Champions League boost with Wayne Rooney admitting how important that could be
Wayne Rooney has disclosed what the potential consequences of Manchester United failing to secure Champions League football were. After Monday's victory over Everton, United occupy fourth spot in the table and are well placed to compete in Europe's premier tournament next season.
Benjamin Sesko proved the match-winner yet again, meaning his goals have now earned United eight points this campaign. That tally could prove crucial in determining whether they finish in the top five or narrowly miss out, with Rooney revealing the ramifications that used to exist at Old Trafford.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Rooney explained: "[At Manchester United] We use to get pay cuts when we didn't get Champions League – you'd get 25% of your salary taken away if you didn't finish in the Champions League places - every player, the manager, players, coaches.
"So, [Manchester] United were trying to stick within the rules. It was brought in [the introduction of Squad Cost Ratio, the new alternative PSR] to stop teams from going bust.
"When I was at Derby and seeing the effect of decisions getting made to gain that little edge [financially] - of course, you want your club to do well and when you get caught doing it, the impact that has – people losing their jobs – seeing that firsthand was not nice to be around.
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United looked set to be heavily impacted financially by their worst Premier League finish ever. But four marquee signings were made in the summer, with all of them key to the 1-0 victory away at Everton. Bryan Mbeumo grabbed the assist for Sesko's goal after Matheus Cunha's sensational through ball. Senne Lammens, meanwhile, made several excellent saves and commanded his area dominantly from a barrage of late Everton corners.
Sesko is the only one of the four to not be a clear starter under Carrick with the Slovenian speaking on his role in the squad after scoring for the third game off the bench. He said on Sky Sports: "You have to live within the rules, but the rules now are made for the teams at the top and for the teams below trying to catch them up, it's impossible.
"United appeared destined to face substantial financial consequences following their poorest Premier League campaign on record. However, four high-profile additions were secured in the summer, with all of them instrumental to the 1-0 triumph away at Everton.
Bryan Mbeumo provided the assist for Sesko's goal after being freed into the opposition half by an exceptional Matheus Cunha through ball. Senne Lammens, meanwhile, produced multiple outstanding stops and controlled his penalty area authoritatively amid a flurry of late Everton corners.
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Sesko is the sole member of the quartet not to be an automatic starter under Carrick, with the Slovenian discussing his squad role after finding the net for the third consecutive match as a substitute.
He told Sky Sports: "For me, it's important whenever I come on to try and help the team, that is why I'm here. Whether that is five minutes or 90 minutes, it doesn't really matter; it's about showing I can deliver if I possibly can, and I'm really happy with that.
"I believe in myself, and so do the other players as well; they know what they are going to get when I arrive in the game. It's up to me to deliver, of course.
"It was really important for us to win this game; it was really difficult. We were fighting, they were fighting, it was a really 50/50 battle, but we managed it until the end and secured the win."