'You have to fight back!' - Erik ten Hag urges Man Utd players to 'believe in themselves' after woeful defeat by West Ham

United fell to their 13th defeat of the season as they were beaten by two late goals at the London Stadium. The Red Devils had played well in patches against West Ham but completely wilted when Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute and Mohammed Kudus piled more misery on Ten Hag's side six minutes later. The manager urged his players to show more belief after falling behind.

Ten Hag told a press conference: "First of all, it's the importance of the first goal, when you are controlling the game you have to take the goal but of course, if you are not scoring the first goal you have to show character, personality as a team and you have to fight back."

Ten Hag insisted that United were the better side against West Ham but cursed the fact they could not strike first and then made two individual errors.

"I think we controlled the game, didn't give West Ham United anything," Ten Hag added. "We created three good chances, we didn't take them, one moment of switching off and we are down, we are losing the game. I think that is how I see the performance."

United used to be synonymous with comebacks but this season they have looked incapable of turning matches around. The only matches they have won after conceding first this season were against Brentford and Nottingham Forest.

The defeat at West Ham was the fourth game in a row United have failed to score in. It is their worst run without a goal since November 1992 under Sir Alex Ferguson. They have also lost 13 matches before Christmas for the first time since 1930-31.

The Red Devils will be looking to get back on track against Aston Villa in their next match but will come up against one of the top sides in the league and are still likely to be missing key players such as Harry Maguire and Casemiro.