I am done this a Complete Farse, VAR needs be scrap out completely”😡,How is that a Penalty “This is so unacceptable 😕, we have to take this issue to the FA” — Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag expresses dissatisfaction with the recent choice made concerning a Penalty by Westham. This is so disheartening 💔🙀, Why would they make such a decision 😱💔
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag voiced strong criticism of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system following his team’s narrow 2-1 defeat to West Ham. Ten Hag expressed disappointment with the decision-making process that led to a late penalty against United, questioning both the VAR officials and on-field referee David Coote for what he described as a lack of “personality” needed to make the right call. The incident unfolded after a clash between United defender Matthijs de Ligt and West Ham’s Danny Ings. Initially, Coote allowed play to continue, but VAR official Michael Oliver advised him to review the footage, resulting in the penalty decision. Jarrod Bowen’s converted spot-kick in the 92nd minute handed United their fourth league defeat of the season.
The Premier League Match Centre reported that Oliver believed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg to justify a penalty review. However, Ten Hag was incensed, asserting that the ‘referee’s call’ rule, which typically favors on-field officials in marginal cases, had been disregarded. United fans, who have felt let down by recent officiating decisions, were left frustrated by Oliver’s intervention at such a critical juncture.
“Football isn’t always fair, and today was one of those days,” Ten Hag commented, clearly frustrated. “VAR is supposed to intervene only for clear and obvious mistakes, but that wasn’t the case today. We’ve been told that VAR should only step in for the most blatant errors, yet here we are facing a decision that overturned the game. This isn’t the first time either; it’s becoming a pattern. In our match against Spurs, VAR stayed out of a key decision that went against us, but now they step in on a call that was questionable at best.”
Ten Hag stressed that his grievance wasn’t personal but with the VAR process itself, noting the long deliberation time, as Coote took three minutes to reach a decision. “In high-stakes moments, you need the courage to stick with the right decision. The process needs improvement, and those overseeing it must be willing to make tough calls when it counts,” he said.
Manchester United’s offensive struggles compounded their disappointment. Diogo Dalot missed an open goal, and the team hit the crossbar twice while failing to convert several chances in the first half. West Ham substitute Crysencio Summerville scored in the 74th minute, and despite United’s pressure, they couldn’t find the back of the net. With just eight goals in nine league games and a negative goal difference, United’s finishing has become a glaring issue for Ten Hag’s team.
Reflecting on the missed opportunities, Ten Hag commented, “We played excellent football in the first half, showing the control and fluidity I want from my team. We managed possession well, built structured attacks, worked between the lines, and created several openings. I counted six or seven clear chances we should’ve converted. The finishing wasn’t there, but the quality of play was. When you create high-quality chances, you need composure and belief that the goals will come.”
Despite his frustration with the officiating, Ten Hag tried to highlight positives in the team’s performance. “Apart from the finishing, I don’t have many criticisms of our play. The real issue is our composure in front of goal. If we stay patient and persistent, we’ll start scoring those chances. Staying calm and consistent is the way forward.”
As Ten Hag faces mounting pressure due to United’s challenging start, the controversial loss to West Ham only intensifies the scrutiny. However, Ten Hag is firm in his belief that his team has been on the receiving end of questionable calls, affecting their season’s trajectory. Whether the board and fans will continue to back his vision may depend on United’s ability to translate their dominance on the field into goals and points.
