The former United defender believes this season is not a successful one for United if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
United missed out on their best chance to make the top four on Tuesday by losing 3-2 to West Ham, at Upton Park.
Rio says winning the FA Cup would be a great achievement for United, but thinks the financial benefits of qualifying for the Champions League outweighs winning the FA Cup.
He says years ago, making the top four was the minimum expectation at United.
"If they don't qualify for the Champions League, it's not a successful season. That's quite fair to say." He told The Telegraph.
"If they get their hands on the FA Cup, that's a great achievement, but in my time if you'd won a trophy, you'd done well - but you've got to get into the Champions League as well, and I think that's the case even more so today.
"[Reaching] the Champions League maybe outweighs winning sometimes, even the FA Cup in terms of the commercial options of a football club. Finishing in the Champions League places is the only place Manchester United should be finishing.
"That's got to be the minimum demand at that football club. That's what it was when I was there."
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