Ten Hag's fourth-placed side (United) is now only four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, despite having a crucial game in hand over Jurgen Klopp's men.
On Thursday night, Brighton defeated Manchester United 1-0 thanks to Alexis MacAllister's stoppage-time penalty. Ten Hag insists there is no cause to be concerned about United's chances of finishing in the top four, despite Liverpool's recent winning streak putting them back in contention.
"We have every time in this season when we had a defeat, we bounce back. So, I count on my players, I count on my team. We have to do it again,” Ten Hag said ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Ham.
"There is no time to stay in this disappointment, so in one hour we go onto the game against West Ham United. All focus on that.
"We prepare for them, we make a good plan, the players have to take responsibility and they will do. I count on them.
"They have to do it and they can do it because we have the evidence in the season. Every time when we had disappointments, they bounce back.
"We had a quite good run from the last five, four wins and a draw before Brighton," he said.
"We have everything in our hands, so we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am quite convinced about that.
"Manchester United, of course, we need to be there in the Champions League.
"We want to be there because we want to challenge with the best teams in the world, so we do everything that’s in our power to get that done.
"I think it is always vital that we have to be in the Champions League. We do everything to get there," he said.
