West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted his side's bid for European football next season just got tougher after a 2-1 loss at Manchester United.

Manchester United took the lead in the 19th minute when Robert Snodgrass brought down Juan Mata and Paul Pogba found the back of the net from the penalty spot.




But West Ham should have been ahead ten minutes previously when they had a Felipe Anderson goal incorrectly ruled out for offside.

However, Anderson did get on the scoresheet as he drew West Ham level within four minutes of the start of the second half, the Brazilian getting on the end of a cross from Manuel Lanzini.
 


West Ham were firmly on top at Old Trafford and Michail Antonio saw an effort hit the crossbar, while David de Gea saved a headed attempt.

The Hammers were made to pay for not scoring though when Ryan Fredericks brought down Anthony Martial with ten minutes left and Pogba scored his second penalty of the game.
 

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Defeat leaves West Ham sitting eleventh and five points behind seventh placed Leicester City.

Pellegrini admits that securing Europa League football has, as a result, become tougher for West Ham.

"It is more difficult to finish in the European places but my target is to finish as high as we can and we will fight to the last day to achieve that", Pellegrini said on BT Sport after the match.

"Playing like we did today will make it easier."

The Chilean also bemoaned the lack of VAR in the game as he thinks key decisions would have gone West Ham's way.

"I don't want to complain about the referee because I think all of them were difficult decisions, but it was not a penalty on Juan Mata and our disallowed goal was onside by just one foot.

"The second goal they scored was a mistake and also offside although we made a mistake in the build-up.

"With VAR I think we would have won this game."

Manchester United have moved into fifth with the win, sitting on 64 points from 33 games.