Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says it feels “unfair and unjust” that his team fell to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham after conceding a controversial late penalty.
His side missed a host of chances and should have been out of sight by half-time, but Jarrod Bowen’s penalty condemned United to their fourth Premier League defeat of the season.
After waving away initial penalty appeals, referee David Coote was sent to the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR) to review Matthijs de Ligt’s challenge on Danny Ings.
Coote pointed to the spot after a lengthy stoppage and ignored protests from United’s players over a handball by Ings before Bowen slotted home in the second minute of injury time.
“Before the season there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes,” Ten Hag told BBC’s Match of the Day.
“That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on-field referee.”
The result moved West Ham up to 13th in the Premier League, one place above Manchester United who have won just three of their opening nine games.
Dutchman Ten Hag said he had spoken to the officials after the game at London Stadium.
“I spoke with them,” added Ten Hag. “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.”
The Premier League explained on its Match Centre account on X that it was decided there was enough contact to award the penalty.
“The referee did not award a penalty to West Ham for a challenge by De Ligt on Ings,” the Premier League said.
“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.”
Asked about the penalty decision, West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui said: “I didn’t see it. The players say it’s a penalty and the referee says it is a penalty, so I am sure they are right.
“I prefer to highlight that, after they scored, we keep the energy and positive momentum to win the match. I prefer to keep that energy.”
