Manchester United lost to West Ham United in the Premier League last weekend which has set back their chase for a top half finish once again and manager Erik ten Hag has come out to defend his players.
The Red Devils missed several opportunities in the game from the first half and were only able to get on the score sheet after West Ham had gone ahead in the 74th minute through Crysencio Summerville. Casemiro brought them into the game but in the end, they conceded an additional time goal to ensure that they left the London Stadium empty handed.
The Dutchman expressed sadness over the missed chances, stating that he feels compassion for his players who he believes tried their best to win. He also pointed fingers at the officials as many managers have done in recent times, claiming that some of their calls cost his team.
Speaking with the media in the mixed zone, Erik ten Hag said: “Football is not always the best team winning. Today it’s very obvious and clear. Today we were far better than the opponent and there are two things: we didn’t score and it was a very poor decision from the referee – on-field and definitely also off-field.
“I think we played very good football, the first hour it was really enjoyable to watch our team – so dynamic, so much variation, so creative, so many chances. That is the only thing we miss – killing in front of the goal. Sometimes you are in this pattern and you have to break the pattern but it will come because our players are clinical and they can be relentless in front of the goal, so it will come.”
It was on the penalty that cost them the three points that yen Hag pointed fingers at the referees for. “Before the season, we got clear instructions [about] how they run the process and it was that they only interfere, the VAR, when it’s clear and obvious,” he began.
“This was not clear and obvious so the VAR should stay away from this, but then also the on-field referee took three minutes. It’s clear and obvious that, when you have to consider it that long, and when it has such an impact on the game, you should stay away from the penalty.
“The referee should take responsibility also. That’s the third time we really feel injustice and that is clear. With the Bruno [incident against Tottenham] they should have interfered. It was overturned, the red card, but what you can’t overturn is the score and the result. We didn’t get the chance to fight back against Spurs, but last week we turned the game and this week, just before [full] time, it has a big impact on our record in the league.”
