Erik ten Hag: Manchester United boss thinks West Ham defeat was 'unfair and unjust'

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag says it feels “unfair and unfair” that his team has fallen into crisis 1:2 defeat at West Ham after conceding a controversial late penalty.

His side wasted numerous 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 dismissing initial penalty appeals, referee David Coote was sent to the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to review Matthijs de Ligt's tackle on Danny Ings.

Coote pointed to the penalty spot after a lengthy break and ignored United players' protests over a handball from Ings before Bowen fired the ball into the goal in the second minute of stoppage time.

“Before the season there was an instruction that VAR should only intervene in cases of clear and obvious errors,” Ten Hag told the BBC’s Match of the Day.

“This is definitely not a clear and obvious error by the referee on the field.”

The result moved West Ham to 13th in the Premier League, one place ahead of Manchester United, who have won just three of their first nine games.

Dutchman Ten Hag said he spoke to officials after the game at the London Stadium.

“I spoke to them,” Ten Hag added. “But the decision has been made. There’s no going back and that’s football.”

“This is the third time this season that I feel injustice and it has a big impact on our team, our results and our position in the table. That is not right.”

The Premier League said on its Match Center account on X that it was decided there was enough contact to award the penalty.

“The referee did not award West Ham a penalty for a foul by De Ligt on Ings,” the Premier League said.

“The VAR concluded that there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee reversed his original decision and imposed a penalty.”

Asked about the penalty decision, West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui said: “I didn’t see it. The players say it’s a penalty and the referee says it’s a penalty, so I’m sure they’re right.”

“I would rather emphasize that after the goal we keep the energy and positive momentum to win the game. I prefer to keep that energy.”