Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said the attack on the Red Devils' team coach was an "influence" as his side's UEFA Champions League hopes for next season were virtually dashed by a 3-2 defeat to West Ham United at Upton Park on Tuesday.
The Dutchman insisted he was not looking for excuses for the defeat, but he highlighted the pre-match circumstances as a key factor on an emotionally charged occasion that saw the Hammers prevail in their last-ever match at the Boleyn Ground before their move to the Olympic Stadium, per John Cross in the Mirror:
We cannot cope with the circumstance before the match, that's unusual.