Louis van Gaal said he has felt powerless to help Manchester United on their goalless losing run -- because he is not God.
United were beaten 1-0 by West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, meaning they have suffered three straight league defeats without scoring for the first time since 1989.
Van Gaal's side had 26 shots against Albion, following 15 and 17 in their previous two games and they had 80 percent of possession against Tony Pulis' team after having 70 percent against Chelsea and 65 percent at Everton.
But United have struggled to break down packed defences in all three games and Van Gaal feels there is only so much he can do.
"You think that I am God but it's not like that," the Dutchman said in a news conference.
"What is happening is happening always because when your team is playing better always they shall defend more -- your opponent -- and that you can see.
"Also Everton at home had a very defensive organisation, and Chelsea at home also, that they come here like that you can expect but also in our away matches they are defending. "We have to disorganise that organisation but that is the next step in the process.
"We have more time on the ball, they have more time to break, we need to play with higher ball speed and that is difficult, to do that against so many bodies in front of you."
United are only four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool and Van Gaal is adamant he has always insisted the battle to finish in the top four will go down to the wire.
"I've said that until the end, it will be a rat race," he added. "I was the only one, because we were seven points ahead and I said it was still possible to slip up. I'm aware of that, my players are aware of that. We have to keep our confidence and finish our chances."
United have two away games left, at Crystal Palace and Hull, and a home match with Arsenal on May 16.