West Ham vs. Manchester United: Louis Van Gaal Comments on Bus Attack, More

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. I've had that experience, but my players have not so it has an influence.

I have a long experience in football, but there are players who don't have that experience. It can have an influence, but we cannot look for excuses.

You can make your own opinion. The images will tell everything. We live in this world. We know it can happen. It's not the first time it's happened.

The emotion worked for West Ham. I said it beforehand and you have seen it. The fans were supporting from the first minute, which was a big influence. But as Manchester United you have to cope with that.

"

Kick-off was delayed by 45 minutes after United's team bus was bombarded with various missiles—including bottles and cans—in the packed streets around the east London stadium, per the Manchester Evening News' Paul Britton.

United winger Jesse Lingard filmed the incident from inside the coach, via Oddschecker (Warning: NSFW language):

Meanwhile, the Telegraph posted footage from outside the bus:

It was an unsavoury beginning to what turned out to be a thrilling night at the Boleyn Ground as West Ham came back from 2-1 down to win 3-2.

Anthony Martial's second-half double turned the game on its head after Diafra Sakho's early opener, but late strikes from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid secured a winning send-off for the stadium.

In turn, the Irons also dented United's hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, as they now sit in fifth place, two points behind Manchester City, with only a game to go.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

West Ham vowed in a statement to ban those involved in the pre-match attack for life:

"We are aware that there were some supporters outside the Boleyn Ground who didn't act in an appropriate way when the Manchester United team bus was damaged. 

"That was not acceptable and we will work with the police to identify those responsible and ban them for life."

Meanwhile, the FA announced that it would investigate the incident along "with both clubs and the Metropolitan Police," per Sky Sports' Matthew Treadwell.

United's final match of the 2015-16 Premier League season is at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Following the West Ham defeat, the Red Devils must beat the Cherries and hope their Manchester rivals lose at Swansea City if they are to qualify for the 2016-17 Champions League.