Erik ten Hag bemoans 'stupid mistakes' as Man United fall 11 points behind fourth, after losing a winning position for a third game after being pegged back by Liverpool

Erik ten Hag bemoaned the ‘stupid mistakes’ that have cost Manchester United valuable points in their floundering bid for Champions League qualification.

Although United were on the ropes for long periods against Liverpool on Sunday, they led until Mo Salah converted an 84th minute penalty to earn a 2-2 draw.

It means United have dropped seven points from winning positions in the last week after conceding injury-time goals in a 1-1 draw at Brentford and 4-3 defeat at Chelsea, and are now 11 points behind Tottenham and Aston Villa in sixth place.

‘I have very mixed emotions,’ said Ten Hag. ‘On one side, I am disappointed that we have dropped seven points, but we have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes.

‘On the other side I am very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing.

‘When you put yourself three times in the lead just before the end of the game but then drop points is very disappointing. There are also some poor decisions and not every time the same player.’

Ten Hag had to play teenager Willy Kambwala in central defence after Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans joined Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof on the sidelines.

‘It was a great opportunity for him,’ added Ten Hag. ‘We have other options like bringing Casemiro in at centre-half, but he deserved it and he showed it on the pitch.

‘Definitely it’s not helping that we have 27 different shapes (formations) in the back line. Still we have to improve.’

Another of United’s youngsters, Kobbie Mainoo, almost stole the show with his first senior goal at Old Trafford to put United 2-1 up.

‘It’s an unbelievable feeling,’ said Mainoo. ‘But we didn’t come away with the three points, so I can’t be too happy. We have given it away.’