Manchester United gave away chance to secure top-four spot - Van Gaal

Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2016 by ESPN

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said his team "gave away" the chance to solidify a chance at a top-four finish on Tuesday night as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat at West Ham United.

Van Gaal's side was leading 2-1 going into the final 15 minutes but surrendered the initiative and allowing two late goals in West Ham's triumphant last-ever match at Upton Park.

The defeat for United means that Manchester City have a top-four finish back in their own hands, being positioned two points clear of their city rivals with Manuel Pellegrini's men possessing a far superior goal difference going into the final day of the season.

City face Swansea City, while United take on Bournemouth, on Sunday -- and Van Gaal needs a miracle now, but he put on a brave face.

The United manager told BBC Sport: "I think it is still possible but it is not in our hands and that is the difference. It is very disappointing because we were ahead. We gave it away because of the set plays."

United's night got off to a bad start when West Ham fans threw bottles at their team bus but Van Gaal did not use that as an excuse, saying: " As a professional, we live in this world. We know it can happen so we have to cope with that. Twenty minutes from the end, we were 2-1 ahead so I don't think that was an influence.

"In the last match of the season we can pass over Manchester City, they can lose and we can win -- then we are fourth, you can count I think?

"I don't think it is not likely, in this league it happens a lot and Swansea City has a very good run. We have to beat Bournemouth and that is tough.

"We have less points than last year and last year we were qualified two matches before the end and now we are still fighting on the last day. It is less but still we can finish as fourth, we have to think only of that.

"[The loss] is a mental blow for the players but against Bournemouth we have to give everything so that we don't give Manchester City a free trip into the Champions League."

Midfielder Michael Carrick, facing his former club on an emotional night for West Ham, said: "We were in a good position but we didn't help ourselves. You have got to be better than that, cleverer than that.

"The atmosphere was loud and what we expected before the game. We have been in big atmospheres before. You have got to deal with that."