Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal cut a frustrated figure after his team lost 1-0 at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, their third successive defeat in the Premier League.
The optimism engendered by victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City has been dispelled by defeats by Chelsea, Everton and West Brom and United’s hopes of finishing fourth are again hanging in the balance.
“We knew in advance that they’d park the bus, we have to deal with that,” Van Gaal said.
“In the second half we had enough chances, you have to finish. It’s now the third match. We have to take care of that.”
United dominated possession against West Brom but rarely looked like scoring at a subdued Old Trafford and they remained fourth in the table, four points above fifth-placed Liverpool with three games left.
The visitors struck after 63 minutes when Chris Brunt’s free kick was fortunately deflected in by teammate Jonas Olsson.