Tuesday’s gripping 3-2 loss, which was preceded by the United team bus being pelted with cans and bottles outside the east London ground, leaves Van Gaal’s men needing to beat Bournemouth in their final match on Sunday and hope Manchester City lose at Swansea City if they are to creep into the Premier League’s top four.

“No, it is still not gone,” Van Gaal said of a top-four finish following the final match of West Ham’s 112-year tenure at the Boleyn Ground.

“In the last match of the season we can pass over Manchester City. They can lose and we can win. Then we are fourth. You can count, I think?”

Van Gaal said to blame the bus attack for the result would have been an “excuse”, but he conceded that it could have affected his younger players.

“I have a long experience in football and there are players who don’t have the experience,” said the 64-year-old Dutchman.

While United still have an FA Cup final date with Crystal Palace to come on May 21, missing out on a top-four place would represent a massive disappointment, but Van Gaal believed Swansea could give City a hard battle.

“I don’t think it is not likely. In this league it happens a lot and Swansea City has a very good run.

“It is a mental blow for the players, but against Bournemouth we have to give everything so that we don’t give Manchester City a free trip into the Champions League.”