Erik ten Hag is "convinced" Manchester United will bounce back from Thursday's last-gasp defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion and seal their place in the Premier League top four.
United fell to an injury-time loss to Brighton after Alexis Mac Allister's stoppage-time penalty as the Seagulls claimed a measure of revenge for the FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties.
But United have proved adept at recovering from setbacks this season and Ten Hag is confident they will show that determined streak again as they look wrap up a top four finish in the Premier League.
Despite Thursday's defeat, United are in pole position to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League. The Old Trafford club, in fourth, hold a four-point lead over fifth-placed Liverpool, who have played one game more.
"We have every time in this season when we had a defeat, we bounce back. So, I count on my players, I count on my team. We have to do it again," Ten Hag said ahead of Sunday's trip to West Ham.
"There is no time to stay in this disappointment, so in one hour we go onto the game against West Ham United. All focus on that.
"We prepare for them, we make a good plan, the players have to take responsibility and they will do. I count on them.
"They have to do it and they can do it because we have the evidence in the season. Every time when we had disappointments, they bounce back."
Ten Hag is adamant there is no reason to panic about United's top four hopes, despite Liverpool's winning run coming just in time to put them back in the hunt.
"We had a quite good run from the last five, four wins and a draw before Brighton," he said.
Brighton v Man United player ratings
-
BRIGHTON RATINGS: Jason Steele 8: Good saves from Rashford, Antony and Martial in first half. And again after break from Fernandes. Excellent night’s work from goalkeeper. AP -
Moises Caicedo 7: Midfielder started at right-back due to injuries and grew into the role as match went on. Left for dead by Rashford in first half and needed Steele to produce decent stop. Booked for foul on Fernandes late on but was then denied injury-time goal by De Gea save. AFP -
Adam Webster 7: Saw header from corner saved by Ge Gea inside 20 minutes as defender looked to score first goal since February 2022. Booked for late tackle on Fernandes which was correct call despite his protests. Getty -
Lewis Dunk 7: Captain was nutmegged by Rashford early doors who then created chance for Fernandes who could only fire well over. Booked for confronting Antony after United winger chopped down Mac Allister. Immense in the air when United put crosses into box. AFP -
Pervis Estupinan 8: One magnificent recovery challenge to take ball off Rashford with United attacker almost through on goal which summed up Ecuadorian’s impressive performance at the back. AP -
Billy Gilmour 6: Caught in possession in first couple of minutes which nearly resulted in Antony scoring. Mixed bag distribution wise from midfielder, some lovely balls to feet at times, but also guilty of over-hitting passes and wasting counter-attacks. Certainly no faulting his workrate. AP -
Julio Enciso 8: Paraguayan teenager is enjoying run in starting XI and is real livewire in possession. Struck a nice effort just wide in first half, but fired another shot high and wide after skipping easily past Casemiro. Getty -
Alexis Mac Allister 8: Argentine, who has been linked with move to United, curled shot just after half-hour mark. On receiving end of some poor tackles from Casemiro and Antony. Denied late winner by fine De Gea save but then calmly smashed penalty into top corner nine minutes into injury-time. AP -
Kaoru Mitoma 7: Clean through in opening five minutes but shot straight at De Gea’s face. Side-footed another chance just wide not long after cutting inside from left. Shot cleared off line in injury-time. Could be a world-beater if he learns to shoot with his left peg as he is ridiculously right footed. AFP -
Facundo Buonanotte 7: Produced a lovely curling strike from an acute angle that flew wide of target but had De Gear at full stretch just before half-time. Given standing ovation for his efforts when he came off after break. Getty -
Danny Welbeck 6: Striker has scored four goals in last six league games but never had sight of goal against former club until just before hour mark when his struck first-time shot wide. Some decent link-up play in second half. AP -
SUBS: Solly March (On for Buonanotte 63’) 7: Missed key penalty in League Cup final shoot-out defeat against United but was nearly the hero here with one sensational run forward that ended with him thumping shot wide. AP -
Deniz Undav (On for Welbeck 75’) 6: One shot deflected wide for corner by Shaw. Getty -
Levi Colwill (On for Gilmour 75’) 6: Chelsea loan man booked for tripping Sabitzer within two minutes of coming on. AFP -
MAN UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 7: Saved from Mitoma with his face on three minutes and looked out for the count. No chance for Mac Allister’s penalty. In between, he made several fine saves and was about to register his eighth clean sheet in United’s last 11 league games until late spot-kick. Getty -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7: Usually excellent in one v ones, but work cut out against Mitoma in a fascinating battle. Cleared a 21st minute cross away. Left his position to attack at the end of the first half. Nutmegged by Gilmour. AFP -
Victor Lindelof 7: Playing well and he did again but gave the ball away to Mitoma on three minutes and was fortunate Brighton didn’t take the chance. AP -
Luke Shaw 7: Another who is playing well. Harshly received a yellow card in injury-time after a nothing challenge on Encisco, but his handball in the final moments of the game led to a Brighton penalty … and another United away defeat against a top ten side. PA -
Diogo Dalot 7: Played at left-back away from his natural position and lost the ball after 54 minutes to set up Mitoma. Booked. Then he got the ball caught under his feet. All inside six minutes. Atrocious ball saw him concede possession and an attack break down on 71. AP -
Casemiro 6: Fired 10th minute effort towards Gatwick Airport, then dispossessed by Gilmour, then gave the ball away on 14. Headed over just before half-hour mark, then did his usual heavy tackle on Mac Allister. Got away with a second booking in the second half and also curled a shot over. Getty -
Fred 5: Easily dispossessed on 67 by Caidedo, the man he was outclassed by. AFP -
Antony 6: Put a clear chance wide in second minute and again on 20. Couldn’t get into the game and faded in the second half. Lost his head and was booked in second half for a swinging challenge on Mac Allister. United don’t score enough goals. It’s a major problem. PA -
Bruno Fernandes 6: Wonder ball forward to Rashford in opening 20 minutes. Was in space as Rashford broke before half time. Heavily challenged by Webster, who was booked. Shot on in second half. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford 6: Lovely play in the build-up to a 10th minute attack. Beautiful as he went past Caiciedo and shot on target just before half-hour. Rapid but should have passed to Fernandes in the first half. PA -
Anthony Martial 5: His manager didn’t feel like he was doing enough, but there were moments – a well-timed run to set up Antony on 20 minutes. Worked a move well with Fred before firing a shot at Steele later in half. A couple of fleet-footed moments in the second half, but his boss was right. Reuters -
SUBS: Jadon Sancho (On for Antony 76’) N/A. Getty -
Marcel Sabitzer (On for Fred 76’) N/A. PA -
Wout Weghorst (On for Martial 83') N/A. PA
"We have everything in our hands, so we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am quite convinced about that."
United haven't won the Champions League since 2008 and last appeared in the final in 2011.
But the tournament is part of the club's DNA and Ten Hag is well aware how important it is to feature in Europe's elite club competition.
"Manchester United, of course, we need to be there in the Champions League," he said.
"We want to be there because we want to challenge with the best teams in the world, so we do everything that's in our power to get that done.
"I think it is always vital that we have to be in the Champions League. We do everything to get there."
