(Video) ‘Never a free kick’ – Ten Hag questions referee decisions after Brighton defeat

I can’t help but think we’re an elite forward away from doing real damage against teams like Brighton. Manchester United were nowhere near clinical enough against the Seagulls, which adds to the pain of losing the game late in stoppage time.

United didn’t deserve anything from the game. We were wasteful in front of goal in the first half, but became sloppy after the break and failed to get the result we needed.

It was a moment of madness that cost us at the end, but I still don’t know why Luke Shaw had his hand up in the air. On another note, the referee gave an extremely soft free-kick to Brighton in the lead up the corner that resulted in Brighton’s penalty and the manager made sure to point that out in his post-match interview.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Erik ten Hag said: “We have to be more clinical on our chances we produced in the first half. In the end we gave away a goal and that can’t happen.

“It was also a little unlucky because it was never a free kick from where the corner came from but then you can’t bounce back anymore and that is what we have to do on Sunday.

“We had the chances clear. Great opportunities, one has to be in.”

When it comes to the race for top four, the Reds are four points clear of Liverpool and have a game in hand.

The lesson learned tonight is that you can’t win games unless you find the back of the net.

Ten Hag added: “I don’t have concerns. It is about keeping the focus. Don’t lose the focus, then we take that point. In the end if you can’t win it because you don’t finish the chances then don’t lose.

“It is handball, maybe he is out of balance or maybe got a push in the back. My anger is more about the free kick before the corner, it was never a free kick. There were so many bad tackles tonight.

“It is not about the officials, we have to finish the chances, be more clinical and don’t make the mistakes we did like in the last seconds.

“We have everything in our hands and we have to bounce back. We take the lessons from tonight and we have to move on.”

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