Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has said that the players must take responsibility for the team's poor league position this season.

United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson departed the club and now look likely to miss out on Champions League football for the first time since the 1995-96 season.

New manager David Moyes has suffered the brunt of the criticism directed towards the club, but Rooney believes that the team should shoulder some of the blame.

"As a group of players we have to take responsibility for our league position. We know we're better than that and we haven't performed as well as we can do," Rooney is quoted as saying by PA.

"We know that and it hurts. Now it's important we finish the season strongly and take some momentum into next year, but more importantly get into fourth spot and do well in the Champions League."

United, who face Olympiacos in the Champions League tomorrow night, are 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool with 11 matches left to play.