Erik: We can't feel sorry for ourselves
Erik ten Hag says his Manchester United players cannot feel sorry for themselves as they continue to hunt down Champions League football next season, following a second Premier League defeat in a row.
Despite dominating the opening stages against West Ham at the London Stadium, the Hammers took a 27th-minute lead through Said Benrahma.
The Reds struck the post moments before and after Benrahma’s strike, and although we forged further openings thereafter, we could not get the equaliser we needed to get back into the contest, eventually falling to a 1-0 defeat.
Read on for an overview of Erik’s reaction, with quotes gathered from his various post-match interviews, both with club media and external outlets…
Erik's post-match press conference
Press conference | Questions on Garnacho's fitness and Liverpool's form are put to Erik after our defeat to West Ham...
A FRUSTRATING NIGHT
“Of course, we are really disappointed, as you see. So the game, I think we started well. I think in the first half we played well and we created good opportunities. We hit twice the post, we had many more opportunities and then one mistake – it was a turnaround in the game. And then you're following effects. And the second half we couldn't bounce back.”
WE WOULDN'T BE HERE HERE WITHOUT DAVID
“I think we all know, David knows also, it’s a mistake, but he’s a brilliant goalkeeper. We may not be in this position when he didn’t show this shape over the course of the season. Mistakes are part of football and we have to live with it and we have to bounce back as a team.”
Matchday Review: West Ham v United
Gary Pallister and Fraizer Campbell dissect United's disappointing Sunday evening in the capital...
FINDING THE NET
“Of course, disappointed [not to score]. We created and we had the game in our hands. In front of the goal, we had to be more clinical. I counted four or five really good chances and it was not by coincidence. They were well played."
Ten Hag: We are really disappointed
The boss shares his take on United's loss at the London Stadium, and its impact on our pursuit of a top-four place...
FIGHTING THROUGH FATIGUE
“We have to keep going and we have to show character. It is only four games and you need the energy. It is in your head, make sure it is not in your legs. Get ready for the games, clear head, energy, focus, and go.
“I said to the players: ‘Don’t feel sorry for ourselves.’ We want to be in the Champions League, the Champions League is our life, and then you have to suffer and you have to sacrifice and, especially, you have to believe.”
Eriksen: We made it difficult for ourselves
Christian Eriksen says United were punished by West Ham for not taking our chances...
SHOW CHARACTER
"As I just said in the dressing room... come on, it [mistakes] can happen, in this season we've had some terrible setbacks and every time we bounced back so, once again, show the character and go on."