Fulham boss says 'best team' won as Ten Hag delivers honest Man Utd verdict
Manchester United's bid to secure a place in next season's Champions League took a major dent after they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag's side were second best throughout the first half at Old Trafford, though Fulham didn't take the lead until just before the hour mark as Calvin Bassey fired home. The Whites had chances to put the game beyond reach but were temporarily punished for being wasteful when Harry Maguire equalised late on.
However, despite having opportunities of their own, United were caught out as Alex Iwobi won it for Fulham in the 97th minute. It was a bitterly disappointing result for the Red Devils, who were hoping to secure their fourth successive Premier League win in their hopes of a top-four place.
United remain in sixth, but are three off Tottenham in fifth and eight behind fourth-place Aston Villa, who beat Nottingham Forest 4-2 on Saturday. Here is the latest news from the Red Devils.
Silva's verdict
Fulham boss Marco Silva admitted "clearly the best team won" after his side's surprise victory. It's the Whites' first win at the Theatre of Dreams since 2003 as they cement their place in mid-table. "It is a big win for us. For sure, a great feeling for our fans, who were loud from the first to the last whistle," Silva said.
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"The players deserved it, clearly the best team won the game. We were the team which played better, created more chances and had more control of the game.
"It is a fantastic feeling for us to come here and win against a side in a good run of form. We knew we would have to play at a high level and that's what we did. They had two or three moments as well, they are a quality team but we controlled it very well. I'm pleased how we played at the start of the second half.
"After we scored we knew there would be a reaction. We tried to play offside for their goal but there was not the synchronisation we wanted and as they pushed, we showed the mentality which we had missed in other away games. It was a great counter and a great finish.
"The players deserve great credit because they understood the plan and executed the plan. It was an open game, we don't change away or at home. This is our way."
Alex Iwobi celebrates his winning goal against Man United (Getty Images)Ten Hag slams players
United boss Ten Hag has criticised his players for 'forgetting' to press in the build-up to Fulham's winner. Asked by beIN Sport if his side deserved more, he replied: "I think so. Again, we had a lot of setbacks, we dealt with it. The team showed big character. We turned in the game and then we had big chances on the wing. At last, we lose the game with one loose moment. We forgot to press when the ball was in the corner for the throw-in and that had big consequences.
"I think it is bad positioning. We should push each other more. This can't happen when an opponent has a throw-in in the corner. We should close them down and not allow them to break.
"There's only one player and we have to make sure the player is in the right position and that is the team. The team has to make sure the positions are good and for the detail, we get punished."
Erik ten Hag reacts to Manchester United's defeat against Fulham (Getty Images)Maguire on injury woes
Harry Maguire bemoaned United's injury concerns after their defeat against Fulham. Luke Shaw is set to miss the rest of the season after picking up a leg problem in the win over Luton, while Rasmus Hojlund sustained an injury which forced him to miss the clash with the Whites.
"We got hit by the injury to Rasmus, who has been big focal point for us but it is up to us to find the solutions and the areas we need to improve on," Maguire said. "He has been our focal point, we can play into him, he holds it up, he starts the press really well, not only that but Marcus has been playing really well on the left. It's the story of our season, we've been injury hit - as other teams have - and we need to find a solution quick."
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