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Ashley Young: Man Utd have character to bounce back and seal UCL spot

Ashley Young is adamant Manchester United have the character to respond to their worst run in years by qualifying for the Champions League.

United have lost three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since 2001 and have suffered three straight defeats without scoring for the first time since 1989.

But while Chelsea, Everton and West Bromwich Albion all thwarted Louis van Gaal's side, winger Young believes they have the mental strength to ensure those setbacks do not derail their season.

"We knew West Brom were going to park the bus and that's what they did," Young told MUTV. "You have to try and find spaces but it's hard when they have every man behind the ball.

"We have the team spirit and character to bounce back from this defeat. We'll work again this week, prepare on the training pitch and hopefully things will go right next weekend."

United visit Crystal Palace on Saturday before hosting Arsenal and finishing their season away at Hull. And England international Young is convinced there is the belief they can retain their top-four spot.

"Of course there is," he added. "As players and staff, there's no doubt we can qualify for the Champions League and that was always what we wanted to do.

"It's still in our hands and we have three massive games coming up. We have another tough game away to Palace next weekend and we want to get back to winning ways."

United are four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, but with a vastly superior goal difference, while Brendan Rodgers' team are away at newly-crowned champions Chelsea next.