Erik ten Hag blasted the refereeing decisions against Manchester United as the Red Devils slumped to a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
After United thought Alejandro Garnacho had scored what could have been the winning goal in the 88th minute, a lengthy VAR check found the Argentine to be offside. Deep into injury time Declan Rice scored what would be the winning goal, but controversy struck as it appeared Gabriel was grabbing hold of Jonny Evans, who deflected Rice’s strike past Andre Onana, much to ten Hag’s displeasure.
The Dutchman did not hold back on his criticism of the refereeing standard, and referee Anthony Taylor.
“Many decisions were against us,” ten Hag said. “Let’s start at the penalty given but rejected. Everyone can see it’s a simulation but he did not get booked for it.
“Then the foul on Hojlund in the penalty area and I don’t think it was even noticed by the VAR. Then the disallowed goal from Garnacho.
“I think they looked from the wrong angle and it’s onside. Then the final goal. How can they allow that? It’s a clear and obvious foul on Jonny Evans otherwise he would have blocked the shot from Declan Rice. So it’s a lot.”
The Red Devils were unlucky to not claim a point after a resilient performance, with the introduction of new signing Rasmus Hojlund sparking new life into the United attack.
Ten Hag was happy with how his side performed, but knows improvement is still need after a second defeat of the season.
“I also have a good feeling because our performance was very good. I won’t say it was perfect because there is definitely room for improvement.
“But if we see our compactness, pressing, moving with the ball and making the counters, very calm, we never gave Arsenal an opportunity to press us.
“The next stage is we could have done that better and the movement we could have done in the right moments. There were a lot of positives in this game but there is still a lot to do.”
United will be looking to bounce back after the international break when they host Brighton & Hove Albion.
READ five things we learned after Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United HERE
