Erik ten Hag says Brighton just 'kick you' during every attack in fiery post-match press conference

Erik ten Hag claims Brighton 'kick you' during every attack as he expressed his frustration following Manchester United's crushing defeat on Thursday.

Alexis Mac Allister converted a penalty in the 99th minute to hand his team a big win at the AMEX Stadium.

It's a blow for Man United's Champions League push, with fifth-placed Liverpool breathing down their necks.

Speaking after his side's defeat, Ten Hag bemoaned Antony's chance in the opening stages of the game and said his team were not clinical enough.

The Dutchman also took aim at Roberto De Zerbi's tactics, claiming Brighton 'kick you' during every attack as he made his feelings known about Luke Shaw's handball in the dying stages of the league fixture.

"Every defeat is a disappointment but in the end when you lose in the last second, that is of course annoying," he said.

"And I think the first minute sums everything up. We create a good chance, we were not clinical enough, then in the attack after we concede a big chance by a giveaway from us, the ball on the head for David.

"And in the end, we also gave away the goal and that's annoying because if you can't win because you don't finish your opportunities then don't lose.

"The annoying thing is that the free-kick before (the corner) is never a free-kick and I have seen really bad tackles today, sometimes without whistles as well."

Erik ten Hag before the match against Brighton. Image: Alamy

Ten Hag added: "Every attack you make, they kick you and then from a fair block it's a free-kick and it's a corner and then it's a disappointing handball in the dying seconds and you can't react any more.

"It's not about me to give a judgement about the ref. We lost this game, we make a mistake in the end and we didn't take our chances but of course there are some disappointments."

Man United are four points ahead of Liverpool and have played a game less than Jurgen Klopp's outfit.

But their form has taken a slight hit, having dropped points against Tottenham and suffered Europa League elimination to Sevilla.

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