Erik ten Hag 'convinced' Man United will bounce back and claim top-four finish

Erik ten Hag is "convinced" Manchester United will bounce back from Thursday's last-gasp defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion and seal their place in the Premier League top four.

United fell to an injury-time loss to Brighton after Alexis Mac Allister's stoppage-time penalty as the Seagulls claimed a measure of revenge for the FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties.

But United have proved adept at recovering from setbacks this season and Ten Hag is confident they will show that determined streak again as they look wrap up a top four finish in the Premier League.

Despite Thursday's defeat, United are in pole position to finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League. The Old Trafford club, in fourth, hold a four-point lead over fifth-placed Liverpool, who have played one game more.

"We have every time in this season when we had a defeat, we bounce back. So, I count on my players, I count on my team. We have to do it again," Ten Hag said ahead of Sunday's trip to West Ham.

"There is no time to stay in this disappointment, so in one hour we go onto the game against West Ham United. All focus on that.

"We prepare for them, we make a good plan, the players have to take responsibility and they will do. I count on them.

"They have to do it and they can do it because we have the evidence in the season. Every time when we had disappointments, they bounce back."

Ten Hag is adamant there is no reason to panic about United's top four hopes, despite Liverpool's winning run coming just in time to put them back in the hunt.

"We had a quite good run from the last five, four wins and a draw before Brighton," he said.

"We have everything in our hands, so we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am