LVG refuses to blame bus attack

MANCHESTER United manager Louis van Gaal refused to blame the pre-match attack on the club coach as a reason for his team’s shortcomings as their Champions League hopes were taken out of their own hands at West Ham.

The Reds were beaten 3-2 by the Hammers as they waved farewell to their home of 112 years ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium.

Diafra Sakho had given the hosts the lead until Anthony Martial put United ahead with a second-half brace.

But late strikes from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid turned the game as United’s top-four hopes took a big hit.

The occasion had been marred when bottles were thrown at the United coach as it made its way into the ground.

“First of all you cannot prove that [it had an effect],” Van Gaal said.

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“We live in this world, we know that, I know it is not the first time it happens.

“It will have an influence but I don’t think we have to look for excuses because we chased the match and 20 minutes before full-time we are ahead so I don’t think you have to look for that excuse.

“I think the disappointment is because we were 2-1 ahead, we changed the match in our favour and in a fantastic way.

“Then you lose because of the set-plays and that I have already said before the match, we tried to organise everything but still you miss the centimetres so we have a lot of set-plays and corner goals against us already.

“That is disappointing because it has a big consequence and you lose a game you have to win.”

Despite the loss handing the impetus back to Manchester City in the race for fourth, van Gaal has not conceded his side will miss out on the Champions League this season.

“No it [a top-four finish] is still not gone,” he added.

“In the last match 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.

“It 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.”