Live from Old Trafford ERIK TEN HAG GOES OFF ON VAR: “THEY WANT US TO LOSE!” 🚨“It’s clear that VAR has a personal vendetta against us! I’ve never seen anything like it!” – Angry Erik ten Hag 😡

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag didn’t mince words in his critique of the Premier League’s Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system following his team’s narrow 2-1 loss to West Ham. Ten Hag questioned the judgment behind the late penalty awarded to West Ham, blaming both the VAR officials and on-field referee David Coote for lacking the “personality” required to make the right decision. The incident involved a clash between United defender Matthijs de Ligt and West Ham’s Danny Ings. Although Coote initially let play continue, VAR official Michael Oliver intervened, urging Coote to review the footage, ultimately leading to the penalty call. Jarrod Bowen scored from the spot in the 92nd minute, dealing United their fourth league defeat of the season.

According to the Premier League’s Match Centre, Oliver determined there was sufficient contact on Ings’ leg to justify a penalty review. However, Ten Hag was incensed, arguing that the ‘referee’s call’ rule, meant to support on-field decisions in marginal cases, had been misinterpreted. United fans, who have felt mistreated by decisions in recent games, were left frustrated, believing Oliver’s intervention swayed the game in West Ham’s favor at a critical juncture.

“Football isn’t always fair, and today was proof of that,” Ten Hag remarked, visibly upset. “The VAR is supposed to intervene only in cases of clear and obvious errors, but that wasn’t the case today. We’ve been told that VAR interference should be reserved for blatant mistakes. And yet, here we are, facing a reversal that cost us the match. This isn’t the first time either—it’s becoming a trend. Against Spurs, VAR didn’t step in on a crucial decision that hurt us, but now, it intervenes on a questionable call.”

Ten Hag emphasized that his grievance wasn’t with individual referees but with the VAR process itself. He criticized the lengthy review period, pointing out that Coote took three minutes to decide. “In such high-stakes moments, you need the courage to stand by the right decision. The people handling the VAR process, and the process itself, need improvement. But the officials must also have the resolve to make bold decisions when it matters.”

Manchester United’s offensive struggles added to the disappointment. Diogo Dalot missed an open goal, and the team hit the crossbar twice while squandering multiple clear opportunities in the first half. Substitute Crysencio Summerville put West Ham ahead in the 74th minute, and despite United’s relentless pressure, they couldn’t convert. With only eight goals from nine league games and a negative goal difference, United’s finishing issues have become a glaring concern for Ten Hag.

Reflecting on the missed chances, Ten Hag commented, “We played some excellent football, especially in the first half, showing the type of dominance and fluidity I expect from my team. We controlled possession, structured our attacks well, worked through the lines, and created openings. I counted six or seven clear chances where we should have scored. The finishing just wasn’t there, but the quality of play was. When you create that many high-quality chances, you have to stay composed and trust the goals will come.”

Despite his frustration with officiating, Ten Hag remained optimistic about his team’s overall performance. “Aside from our finishing, I don’t have many complaints about how we played. The issue is our lack of composure in front of goal. If we stay patient and keep pushing, we’ll eventually start scoring those chances. Remaining calm and consistent is the only way forward.”

As pressure mounts on Ten Hag amidst United’s challenging start, this contentious loss to West Ham only intensifies the scrutiny. Yet, it’s clear that Ten Hag feels his team has been on the receiving end of some questionable calls, affecting their season at crucial times. Whether the board and fans continue to back his vision may ultimately hinge on United’s ability to translate their dominance on the pitch into goals and points on the board.