An unhappy Erik ten Hag in Manchester United’s defeat to West Ham. (Image: Getty.)
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag labelled West Ham’s late penalty an “injustice” and lamented the decision to award a spot-kick for a foul on Danny Ings by Matthijs de Ligt.
The London Stadium visitors thought they had done enough to come away with a point after Casemiro’s header had cancelled out Crysensio Summerville’s opener, only for Jarrod Bowen to tuck a 92nd-minute penalty past Andre Onana.
De Ligt was adjudged to have fouled Ings inside the area as the pair battled for the ball, which bobbled between them before the West Ham striker fell to the floor.
After the ball was cleared from danger, Coote did not initially point to the spot but was recommended to take a second look via the pitchside monitor by VAR.
And once he was shown several replays that indicated De Ligt had caught Ings, with enough contact that Coote felt the need to reverse his decision.
But Ten Hag went on a blistering rant at the officials and revealed that he spoke to them in an attempt to get an explanation.
“Three times this season we feel injustice,” Ten Hag told the BBC. “We have to score, we created so many chances. We should’ve been two or three up.
David Coote checking the monitor before awarding West Ham a penalty. (Image: Premier League.)
“Second half we were forcing it but we allowed them into the game. When you are losing 1-0 you need big personality and character of the team and showed resilience to get back into it. Unfair and unjust the way we conceded the penalty.
“It was so difficult to see. Before the season there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes. That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on-field referee.
“More frustrations but I can do nothing with that. They don’t collect points and that’s what we have to do. We have to look in the mirror, we don’t score in a good game from our side. Create loads of chances and concede none but when you lose in this way it’s a bad feeling.”
He also opened up on the conversation he had with the officials, including referee Coote: “I spoke with them. But the decision is made. There’s no way back and that’s football. That’s a third time I have felt injustice in the season and it has a big impact on our team and on our scores and where we are in the table. It’s not right.”
Though the Premier League has already moved to explain why a penalty was awarded, despite De Ligt protesting that Ings handled the ball before he made contact with the striker.
The match centre confirmed: “The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by de Ligt on Ings. The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1967862/Man-Utd-West-Ham-Ten-Hag-ref-penalty