Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that his team need to win all of their remaining Premier League games in order to qualify for the Champions League.
The Red Devils looked to have found a decent run of form having claimed four consecutive wins in all competitions, but they were dealt a blow on Sunday.
After Juan Mata was sent off for a second bookable offence, United were undone 1-0 by West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
The result means that United are now three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
United have nine league games remaining in their season, and Van Gaal wants victories in all of them.
"It's a big blow, these kinds of matches you have to win," the Dutchman told reporters. "We need 27 points. It is a lot, but it is always possible."
Van Gaal added on MUTV: "You always have a chance [to make the top four] but these kind of matches you have to win, and certainly when you have to close the gap because you have lost too many matches already."
United will switch their attention to the Europa League on Thursday when they take on arch rivals Liverpool at Anfield in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Danielle Joynson
