Manchester, United Kingdom--Louis van Gaal admits Manchester United are locked in a "rat race" for a place in next season's Champions League after a surprising 1-0 home defeat to West Brom allowed rivals Liverpool to move to within four points.
United have now lost three consecutive league games for the first time in over 13 years and failed to score over the same span for the first time since August 2007, a sequence that has seen van Gaal's team go four hours and 45 minutes without a goal.
"Maybe you remember all my press conferences when I said it will be a rat race until the very end," said van Gaal whose side are fourth in the table.
"I was the only one because we were seven points ahead at the time.
"But I said it was still possible (being caught). I'm aware of that and my players shall be aware of that. It was unlucky but this is the third match in a row we lost and we didn't score.
"It's now in the hands of my players. We have to work very hard to keep their confidence up because we have everything in our own hands. We are four points ahead but our goal is a now a little bit more difficult than before.
"It's what you expected already before the game. They parked the bus and then it's always difficult to attack because you have a lot of bodies in front of you. But we have to improve. Improve in creating chances? No. Improve in finishing."
United enjoyed astonishing statistics of 80 per cent possession and a 26-6 shot count but poor finishing, and a superb display by Albion goalkeeper Moaz Byhill, thwarted them.
AFP
