Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has expressed strong feelings over his side’s loss to Arsenal in their Premier League matchday 4 clash.
The Red Devils went to the Emirates with the hope of breaking their winless streak over Arsenal at the Carpet which has lasted for two seasons. They took the lead in the 27th minute through Marcus Rashford, who has made it a habit to score against Arsenal.
United fans were still celebrating Rashford’s goal, which also happened to be his first of the new season, when Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard equalised a minute later. At the end of the match, it was 3-1 in favour of their hosts thanks to late goals from new signing Declan Rice and returning striker Gabriel Jesus, who both got their first goals of the season.
Teenage forward Alejandro Garnacho had put Man United ahead but his goal was ruled out for a very marginal offside. Arsenal fans celebrated their continued streak against the Premier League’s most successful team, who are now seated in mid-table after four games.
Erik ten Hag believed that the loss was as a result of small margins and that his side deserved more than what they got from the game.
Speaking to Manchester United’s media after the match, he said: “I think the performance is right from us. I think we played [a] very good game. But everything went against us and then, of course, then you don’t win the game and if [we had] a little bit more luck, you win the game.”
He also disagreed with the VAR decision to overturn Garnacho’s goal and also a decision not to give a penalty to returning striker Rasmus Højlund.
“You saw the game but it’s no offside [for the Garnacho goal which was ruled out], wrong angle,” he said. “It’s a penalty on [Rasmus] Hojlund and then we concede a goal [scored by Declan Rice] where there’s a foul on Jonny Evans. It’s so clear and obvious.
“Okay, you can now say finish your chances. You can say don’t concede the goal after you go 1-0 up. Yeah, it’s all true. But I think there’s really a step forward and I was happy with the performance.
“[The Declan Rice goal] is offside so you have to accept it but I see the angle. I don’t see [it] as offside. No [I have not sought clarification from the officials] but that doesn’t change the result. That is what it is. You have to accept it.”
