Ten Hag believes Man Utd will secure a top four spot despite their recent loss to Brighton

According to Erik ten Hag, Manchester United's recent loss to Brighton in the dying minutes of the match will not hinder their quest to secure a place in the Champions League.

Ten Hag's Man United, who are currently in fourth place in the Premier League, are confident that Manchester United's loss to Brighton on Thursday will not harm their Champions League qualification prospects, despite being just four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand.

Ten Hag expressed his faith in United's ability to bounce back from the Brighton loss and believes that the team will demonstrate the same fighting spirit that has helped them recover from previous setbacks this season. He is confident that they will secure a top four finish in the Premier League.

"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", as quoted by AFP.

 Erik ten Hag remains unfazed about Manchester United's top four hopes, even though Liverpool's recent winning streak has 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 quite convinced about that."

 Ten Hag recognizes the significance of the Champions League for Manchester United, given that it is a competition that the club has a rich history in.

 Despite the club not having won the tournament since 2008 and making their last appearance in the final in 2011, Ten Hag understands the importance of featuring in Europe's premier club competition.

"Manchester United, of course, we need to be there in the Champions League," he said.

"We want to be there because we want to challenge with the best teams in the world, so we do everything that's in our power to get that done.

"I think it is always vital that we have to be in the Champions League. We do everything to get there."