Midfielder Michael Carrick says there are no excuses for Manchester United's failure to hold on to the lead at West Ham on Tuesday night.
And Carrick says the team are hugely disappointed to have missed out on the chance to put themselves in pole position to claim fourth spot, and a Champions League place.
The match did not kick off until 8.30 because the Manchester United team bus was delayed outside the ground by supporters who were throwing cans and bottles.
However, United appeared poised to ruin West Ham's farewell to the Boleyn Ground when a second-half Anthony Martial double gave them a 2-1 advantage.
But Michail Antonio and Winston Reid scored with headers within five second-half minutes to give the Hammers a memorable win and leave United needing neighbours Manchester City to slip up on Sunday if they are to claim a top four finish.
Carrick told MUTV that United have only themselves to blame for the position they find themselves in and that the pre-match attack on their bus did not impact their display.
"Whatever has gone on beforehand, you've just got to get on with it," said the England international. "We were here, we were ready, and we had over an hour to prepare for the game. It's no excuse.
"It's no good for us. We got ourselves back in the game and then didn't really help ourselves with giving away free-kicks. We have to be cleverer than that.
"We put ourselves under pressure by letting them put the ball in the box. In the end that's won them the game and we're very disappointed.
"We should have done better. We should have seen the game out, and taken control of the game, but we let them back in it."
United could yet claim that all-important fourth place if they beat Bournemouth on Sunday and City are defeated at Swansea.
Carrick added: "We were in control of it going into the West Ham game but we've let it slip. We have to win our last league game and then see what happens. That's the situation that has presented itself now."