LONDON: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he could only blame his team’s finishing after the 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham late last night.
United slumped to 14th in the Premier League (EPL) table after Jarrod Bowen’s controversial stoppage-time penalty gifted the Hammers all three points.
Crysencio Summerville put West Ham ahead against the run of play 16 minutes from time before Casemiro equalised.
Ten Hag were furious at the awarding of the penalty after VAR intervened when Matthijs de Ligt collided with Danny Ings in the penalty box.
United captain Bruno Fernandes’ red card was withdrawn after he was sent off in last month’s 3-0 defeat at Tottenham and Ten Hag said VAR was inconsistent in challenging the referee’s decision in the middle of the pitch.
“Before the season they explained the VAR process – only when it was clear they could intervene,” said Ten Hag.
“What they didn’t do against Spurs, it was a bad decision. Now they made a bad decision and they both had an impact on the game. I’m not criticizing the officials, I’m criticizing the process.”
However, less sharp finishing in front of goal caused United to fail to get a much-needed win.
Diogo Dalot missed chances despite the goal gaping, while Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes were guilty of missing golden opportunities in their dominant first half.
“We created too many chances, played good football, especially in the first half. That’s how I want my team to perform whether with the ball or not,” stressed Ten Hag.
United’s tally of eight goals from their first nine games is their worst in the EPL era.