Angry Erik ten Hag criticises VAR and referees after Man United beaten by West Ham penalty

**Erik ten Hag Criticizes VAR After Controversial Penalty Costs Manchester United Against West Ham**

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed strong criticism of the Premier League’s Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system after his team suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to West Ham. He specifically questioned the decision-making process that resulted in a late penalty against United, accusing VAR officials and referee David Coote of lacking the necessary “personality” to make the correct decision. The incident involved a collision between United defender Matthijs de Ligt and West Ham’s Danny Ings. Although Coote initially allowed play to continue, VAR official Michael Oliver intervened, prompting Coote to review the footage, which ultimately led to the penalty. Jarrod Bowen successfully converted the spot kick in the 92nd minute, marking United’s fourth league loss of the season.

According to the Premier League Match Centre, Oliver believed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg to warrant a penalty review. However, Ten Hag was furious, arguing that the ‘referee’s call’ rule, intended to give on-field officials the benefit of the doubt in marginal situations, had been misapplied. United fans, already feeling aggrieved in recent weeks, were incensed that Oliver’s intervention had swayed the match in West Ham’s favor at such a crucial juncture.

“Football is not always fair, and today was one of those days,” Ten Hag stated, clearly exasperated. “The VAR is meant 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’s overturned and costs us the game. This isn’t the first instance—it’s becoming a pattern. When we played Spurs, VAR didn’t intervene on a crucial decision that went against us. Now, they interfere on a call that was questionable at best.”

Ten Hag emphasized that his criticism was directed at the VAR process rather than individuals. He noted the lengthy deliberation, with Coote taking three minutes to reach a decision. “In high-pressure situations, you need the courage to stick with the right call. The people managing the VAR process need to improve it, but those in charge must also be willing to make bold decisions when it counts.”

Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal further compounded the disappointment. Diogo Dalot missed an open chance, and the team hit the crossbar twice while squandering several clear opportunities in the first half. Substitute Crysencio Summerville put West Ham ahead in the 74th minute, and despite United’s pressure, they could not find the net. With just eight goals from nine league matches and a negative goal difference, United’s finishing issues are becoming increasingly concerning for Ten Hag.

Reflecting on the missed opportunities, Ten Hag said, “We played some excellent football, particularly in the first half, showcasing the dominance and fluidity I want from my team. We controlled possession well, structured our attacks effectively, and created openings. I counted six or seven clear chances where we should have scored. The finishing simply wasn’t there, but the football was. When you create that many quality chances, you need to remain composed and trust that the goals will come.” Despite his frustration with the officiating, Ten Hag attempted to maintain a positive outlook on his team’s overall performance. “Aside from our finishing, I don’t have many criticisms of our play. The problem lies in our lack of composure in front of goal. If we stay patient and keep pushing, we will eventually convert those chances. We need to remain calm and consistent; that’s the only way to progress.”

As pressure mounts on Ten Hag due to United’s poor start, this controversial loss to West Ham intensifies scrutiny. Nonetheless, Ten Hag believes his team has been adversely affected by questionable officiating decisions, impacting their season at critical moments. Whether the board and fans continue to support his vision will likely hinge on whether United can convert their dominance on the pitch into goals and points.