Ten Hag blames result on ‘injustice’ of ‘very poor’ penalty call

Manager Erik ten Hag said Manchester United were “far better” than West Ham and the victims of “very poor” refereeing after Jarrod Bowen’s 92nd-minute penalty consigned the visitors to a 2-1 defeat at London Stadium on Sunday.

The 20-time champions are 14th courtesy of their fourth loss of their top-flight campaign, with Ten Hag incensed when David Coote consulted his pitchside monitor on the advice of Video Assistant Referee Michael Oliver as part of a lengthy review and awarded the Hammers the decisive spot kick.

“Football is not always the best team winning,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports. “It is very obvious and clear that we were far better than our opponents.

Ten Hag: “In this moment definitely the luck is not on our side. It is not about me. Last season was not different but in the end we turned it around. We are so determined it will be the same again. We have to turn it around + we will.” #MUFC

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) October 27, 2024

“There were two things: we didn’t score and it was a very poor decision from the referee – on the field and definitely off it. I asked them for some explanations and they gave it, but when it’s not clear and obvious, the VAR should not interfere.

“That was the instruction before the season. They don’t keep their own process and that was very poor. When you take so long in a very messy situation and you have to consider if it’s a penalty or not, then it’s clear that it’s not a penalty.”

Ten Hag: “We create so many chances, first half is exactly how I want to see my team playing. So dominant. Six or seven 100% chances we should score. When you don’t you have to keep calm. That is a point of improvement but I had not so many criticisms of my team.” #MUFC

— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) October 27, 2024

West Ham vs Man United penalty

United defender Matthijs de Ligt collided with West Ham forward Danny Ings in the incident adjudged to have been a penalty.

Bowen converted to send his side above United, who have won one of their last eight matches and scored more than once in one of those games.

United hit the woodwork twice and spurned a succession of strong chances during the first half, then fell behind to Crysencio Summerville’s close-range opener in the 74th minute.

Casemiro nodded the equaliser seven minutes later but Bowen’s controversial winner came during 14 minutes of added time.

Win, lose or draw — we hear you every game, Reds.

Thanks for your magnificent support on the road once again 🔴#MUFC || #WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/KsAoOBXTJn

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 27, 2024

Ten Hag: United ‘injustice’

Under-pressure Ten Hag reiterated his belief that United have repeatedly fallen foul of incorrect decisions this season and again suggested that they would not have suffered their 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham had Bruno Fernandes not been sent off – although the captain’s suspension was later overturned.

“It had such a big impact on the score,” the Dutchman said of Coote’s call, having again become the favourite with bookmakers to become the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season.

“The referee should also take responsibility. That is the third time that we feel [there has] really [been] an injustice.”