Louis van Gaal warned his Manchester United players they needed to improve their finishing if they are to clinch a top-four spot in the Premier League.
United’s misfiring end to the season continued last night at Old Trafford as they were beaten by West Bromwich Albion to slump to their third successive defeat.
Despite having 80 per cent of possession, United could not find a way through, with West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill highlighting his man-of-the-match performance by saving a second-half penalty from Robin van Persie.
A frustrated Van Gaal said he had expected a defensive set-up from West Brom, but he was disappointed with his side’s performance in front of goal.
“We knew in advance that they’d park the bus, we have to deal with that,” he said.
“In the second half we had enough chances – you have to finish. It’s now the third match (they have lost). We have to take care of that. It’s very difficult.”
The lone goal of the game came in the 63rd minute when Chris Brunt’s free kick was deflected past David de Gea in the United goal by Brunt’s teammate Jonas Olsson, and there was no way back for United from that.
It is the first time since April 1989 that United have lost three games on the trot and failed to find the net in any of the losses, with Saturday’s setback coming on the back of their 1-0 reversal at Chelsea and 3-0 defeat at Everton last month.
The setback, which came after Liverpool’s victory over Queens Park Rangers earlier yesterday, means United’s grip on fourth place and the final Uefa Champions League qualifying place is still not certain.
They are now four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with three games left to play.
West Brom were happy to allow United time and space on the ball throughout the proceedings, but they found chances hard to produce in the first hour.
Going behind appeared to be the catalyst for United to raise their game, and they won a penalty when Antonio Valencia’s centre was judged to have been handled just inside the penalty area by Saido Berahino with 17 minutes to go.
Myhill dived to his left, though, to parry away Van Persie’s spot kick, and he would also make another fine save from the Dutchman in the closing minutes as United pressed forward.
Paddy McNair headed wide from close range and substitute Angel Di Maria drove a late effort over the bar to sum up United’s miserable day.
The result lifted West Brom seven points clear of the relegation zone, and manager Tony Pulis was delighted by his side keeping their third successive clean sheet.
“You need to be organised, resilient and have a bit of luck. We had that in abundance,” he said. “It takes a lot of work and commitment from the players – 90 per cent of it is dealing with people off the ball.”
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