Brentford pummeled Manchester United in only their third Premier League tie of the season at the Community Stadium.
Erik ten Hag acknowledged Manchester United did not deserve to win their 1-1 draw with Brentford, blaming the team's lack of passion and ambition.
Brentford had 31 efforts at United's goal and hit the crossbar three times, but fell behind 1-0 to Mason Mount's goal in the 96th minute.
Three minutes later, Kristoffer Ajer scored an equaliser to earn a point for Thomas Frank's team, which has only won two of their last 18 games.
United has won four games this season thanks to extra-time goals and appeared to be on track for a fifth, but Ten Hag confessed they lacked emotion and determination.
"We didn't deserve to win but if you're winning you have to take this," Ten Hag went on to say. "Normally, we are good in such situations if we score before the time limit.
"We demonstrated resilience throughout the game, but Brentford outperformed us in terms of aggression; we needed to show more emotion and drive at several moments. However, while you're winning, you should cross the finish line.
"You can never compare such levels and performances (to United's triumph over Liverpool two weeks ago), but even if you don't play well, you have to win, and we almost did.
"That's my biggest disappointment, that we didn't finish. We didn't play well, but there was spirit and fight, just not enough. It was enough to get the 1-0 goal, and Rasmus Hojlund had a great opportunity before that."
Ten Hag minimized Brentford's several attempts at the United goal. Brentford's 31 shots were three fewer than Liverpool's 34 versus United at Anfield, the most in the Premier League since records began.
"As long as we get results, no?" Ten Hag spoke. "I explained it once more: we defended low at times, and because Brentford is very direct, we lost a lot of second balls and had to defend the box."
"We had a wonderful goalkeeper; he was brilliant tonight, too. Since January, our outcomes have been pretty constant. We surrender shots, but not as many goals.
"We're creating chances, with Rasmus Hojlund big chances and it's all about bringing that over the line."
Ten Hag also bristled at the mention of Brentford's performance. The 15th-placed side has only won four Premier League home games this season, but Ten Hag believes Manchester City was "lucky" to win at the Community Stadium in February.
"Don't lower Brentford's performances," Ten Hag complained."I saw them against Manchester City, and City was also fortunate to win that game. Brentford should have taken the lead against Liverpool in the opening 35 minutes, so don't be too surprised.
"We should have done this better, I'm not happy with the performance, there is no misunderstanding, the players are also disappointed by the performance and we should be consistent in the game, go in the game, perform and show more aggressiveness."
