Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag had a clear message for his team following their VAR-dominated 2-1 defeat at West Ham United.
The Red Devils have now won just one of their last five Premier League games, with Ten Hag’s position under growing pressure, and the officials not helping his cause at the London Stadium.
The EPL issued a statement after the game, following a controversial late call from referee David Coote, to award the hosts a penalty.
United fans were left enraged by the decision, as VAR deemed Matthijs de Ligt to have fouled Danny Ings inside the United box, as Jarrod Bowen slotted home from 12 yards.
Despite the furore surrounding Coote and the VAR officials, Ten Hag indicated his team had enough chances to win the game, without the need for a late Casemiro equaliser before Bowen’s winner.
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Ten Hag admitted to his frustration on a late decision going against his team, but his irritation was focused more heavily on his players, who failed to make their opportunities count in front of goal.
“Three times this season we’ve felt injustice. We have to score, we created so many chances. We should’ve been two or three up”, he said at full time.
“When you’re losing 1-0 you need big personality and character and the team showed resilience to get back into it.
“We don’t collect points and that’s what we have to do. We have to look in the mirror, we didn’t score enough, in a good game from our side and that’s cost us.”
Up next for Ten Hag and United is a home EFL Cup clash with Leicester City on October 30 before hosting rivals Chelsea in Premier League action on November 3.
