If we were to learn one lesson from today's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford then it would be that we cannot afford to set up defensively for the last seven games of the season. We still need points and we have to look like a team that is determined to get them.

You will certainly be able to recognise that the second half performance today was far better than the first but it is difficult to be able to pinpoint how much of that was us playing the kind of game that we needed to and how much was down to Manchester United knowing that they had the three points in the bag by then.

Much the same as we did when we played Tottenham in the FA Cup two weeks ago we were set up to try and secure a draw but that plan went out of the window thanks to the conceding of an early goal. It was frustrating enough to see us doing that in a cup game where a semi final chance was there for the victors but to do it in a league game just seems a little too negative for my liking.

In our last league outing we were described as digging in deep as we conceded 80% possession and a host of chances to Huddersfield having played with ten men for eight minutes but it's now three games in a row that we have played the same way and it won't be a way that will get us a Premier League spot for next season.

We travel to almost doomed West Brom next week and Carlos has to have the conviction in his team to set up on a more attacking basis. That is not to say that he has to go for all out attack but we certainly need to take a more positive step in such a vital game.

It is massively frustrating as a fan to watch 45 minutes of football as we had to watch today at Old Trafford where the ball is given away cheaply, we allow the opposition the space that they desire and we fail to register a single shot on target. Indeed, even with the improvement in the second half we only managed two shots on target - both of them from Tammy Abraham within quick succession.

As stated earlier on in the article the second half performance was much improved and we should take the positives from that and we have to look at the next few fixtures as games that we should be aiming to win. To do that though does take the need to set up as if we want to win and see players composed on the ball, looking for space and putting in the challenges when they are needed.

When you give any midfielder space then you will end up regretting it at some point but to do it against two of the strongest midfields in the Premier League as we have done in the last two games is just criminal and this is what Carlos needs to work on with his squad during training this week.

The real benefit of today is that the sides below us at the start (West Ham excepted) all lost today so we haven't lost any ground. However, when you reflect back on the game today we will remember that we probably didn't expect anything but, as fans, we should not have expected to just given it up quite so easily.

Must do better

Photo: Action Images

Portsmouth Polls