West Ham United added to Manchester United’s woes with a hard-earned 2-1 victory on Sunday in Matchday 9 of the English Premier League.
After a scoreless first half, the game sprang to life in the second, with all three goals scored in a dramatic final stretch.
Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville put West Ham in the lead in the 74th minute, but Manchester United’s Casemiro quickly equalized in the 81st.
However, United’s relief was short-lived, as Jarrod Bowen clinched the win for West Ham in stoppage time with a decisive penalty.
This defeat amplifies the pressure on United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, who is teetering on the edge of dismissal amid the Red Devils’ ongoing struggles. The team has managed only one win in their last eight games across all competitions, with five draws and two losses.
United, now with 11 points from the season, sits 14th in the league, just behind West Ham on goal difference, who are 13th with the same points tally.
Ten Hag voiced frustration over the penalty awarded to West Ham, calling it “unjust.” Initially, referee David Coote did not call a foul on United’s Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt for his challenge on Max Kilman. However, VAR’s Michael Oliver recommended a review, which led to the penalty decision.
In his post-match remarks, Ten Hag shared that he had discussed the call with the referee, labeling it as “unfair and undeserved.”
He added, “But the decision was made, and there’s no going back—that’s football. This is the third time I’ve felt we’ve been treated unfairly this season. Such situations have a significant impact on our team, our results, and our place in the standings, and that’s just not right.”
Reflecting further, Ten Hag stated, “In football, the best team doesn’t always come out on top. Today was a clear example, but what was even more evident was the confusion surrounding VAR. I’m not criticizing any individual personally; I’m challenging the system itself, and acknowledging this openly takes courage.”
Ten Hag elaborated, “At the start of the season, it was clarified that VAR intervention would be limited to clear and obvious situations. This wasn’t the case when Bruno Fernandes was sent off against Tottenham due to VAR, a decision I also believe was incorrect. And now, again, we see its impact on the results. This isn’t about individuals but the process and its oversight.”
He added, “The other crucial factor was our lack of finishing. We created ample chances, and the first half was exactly how I want my team to play—completely dominant.”
In conclusion, Ten Hag said, “We had six or seven clear scoring chances and should have capitalized. When you miss these, you need to stay composed and continue your approach; that’s how you create more opportunities. Overall, I don’t have major criticisms of my team.”
Ten Hag may face sanctions, as his comments on refereeing could breach league regulations, particularly when expressed publicly. Yet, his concerns about disciplinary consequences might be secondary to a greater threat: the very real possibility of dismissal, with his tenure at United under intense scrutiny.