Michael Carrick has refused to blame the fervent atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground for Manchester United's 3-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils' hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four were all but crushed when they surrendered a 2-1 lead to go down to the Hammers and many felt that United crumbled at the end as they were unable to cope with the passionate support at Upton Park – in what was the last game ever to be played in the historic stadium.

However, midfielder Carrick is not prepared to make such an excuse for the defeat and has stated that United were simply not clever enough to hold on to their lead during the final minutes of the game.

He told Sky Sports: "We were in a good position but we didn't help ourselves. You have got to be better than that, cleverer than that.

"The atmosphere was loud and what we expected before the game. We have been in big atmospheres before. You have got to deal with that.

"It is Man City's hands now [to finish in the top four]. We have let that slip. We have got to win our final game and see what happens."