Manchester United can still finish in top four, says Erik ten Hag
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Brighton's Argentinian midfielder Alexis MacAllister scores their goal from the penalty spot.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag bemoaned his team’s poor finishing in their 1-0 Premier League loss at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday, but insisted that their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are still in their own hands.
The home side gained sweet revenge for their defeat by United in the FA Cup semi-finals, with Alexis Mac Allister converting a 99th-minute penalty that left the Red Devils in fourth on 63 points – only four points ahead of Liverpool but having played a game less.
Brighton are sixth on 55 points, and could leapfrog Jurgen Klopp’s Reds with their two games in hand.
“We have to finish the chances, be more clinical and don’t make the mistakes we did like in the last seconds,” said ten Hag.
“We had the chances, clear. Antony, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro. One has to go in. But if you cannot win the game because you do not take your chances, do not lose it.
“We gave away a goal, maybe we lose a little bit of focus. That cannot happen. But we have everything in our hands and we have to bounce back. We take the lessons from tonight and we have to move on (for West Ham United on Sunday).”
Classy Brighton dominated possession playing out from the back but lacked a cutting edge until Luke Shaw’s handball deep into stoppage time presented them with an opportunity to take all three points.
Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma was a threat throughout, creating several chances for himself before teeing up Danny Welbeck to fire high early in the second half as United struggled to pass the ball out of defence.
After getting booked in the first half, Casemiro was lucky not to pick up his second yellow card after hacking down Mac Allister in the second half.
Tempers flared in the 68th minute as United winger Antony, angry at not being awarded a free kick, was penalised for a tackle on Mac Allister before getting into a confrontation with Lewis Dunk that earned both a yellow card.
Brighton continued to press forward looking for a winner. As United looked set to secure a draw, there was late drama when Shaw was found to have handled the ball in the box after a video assistant referee review, and Mac Allister blasted home the spot kick.
“It hurts a lot,” Shaw said on Sky Sports. “Last minute, last action, really. I got a little nudge but of course my hand should not be there.
“Of course, I own up to it and take it on the chin. It cost us the game and it is tough.
“I cannot even explain why my hand is up there. I got a touch but my hand should still not be up there.”
The win completes a league double for the Seagulls against United, who beat ten Hag’s men in their first match of the season but suffered a painful defeat on penalties in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in April.
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi, who made it to the dugout a day after he missed his pre-match press conference because of illness, was thrilled with the result.
“Really happy and delighted for the performance and result,” said the Italian.
“There is a god of football – we deserved to win the (FA Cup) semi-final but lost on penalties, but today we won with a penalty. In both games, I think we played better than United.” AFP, REUTERS
