Sunday 15 May 2016 19:17, UK
Slaven Bilic is hoping Manchester United do West Ham a favour in their quest for Europa League football after his side lost 2-1 to Stoke on Sunday.
A late header from Mame Biram Diouf consigned the Hammers to a seventh-place finish, and they must rely on a United victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final to secure European football next season.
Bilic was left disappointed after West Ham, who had already secured their highest Premier League points tally, squandered a first-half lead at the Britannia, but said he was pleased with a "great season overall".
"It is very frustrating," Bilic said. "For most of the season we have been there [in the Europa League qualification spot] and it looked like we were going to do it but the competition is really good.
"Overall it was a great season, and we hope Man United win the FA Cup and then we will be in the qualification for the Europa League."
West Ham had 20 shots to Stoke's seven with Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and Emmanuel Emenike each guilty of missed chances in front of goal, leaving Bilic to criticise his team's finishing.
"Stoke didn't steal it from us but even a draw would have been hard to take because of the number of opportunities we created," he added.
"We had a big chance at 1-0 in the second half and then later three or four times they cleared it off the line. We were looking to score another but like so many other times this season, we conceded.
"One part of me is really angry and disappointed because we had to take the chances. But on the other hand considering how we played today I can't be totally unhappy.
"We played good football again and for the majority of the match we were different class."
Having started Sunday with hopes of a fifth-place finish, defeat to Stoke combined with Southampton's victory over Crystal Palace meant a fine campaign ended on a disappointing note for the Hammers.
"Southampton won a few games at the end that we didn't know they would win - nobody had expected them to beat Man City and Spurs - and they deserve it," Bilic added.
"There are many good teams, but of course we are not happy that we lost the position over the last three or four games."
