Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag, has blamed Man United’s Premier League defeat to Arsenal on poor officiating while applauding the performance of his boys.
Manchester United succumbed late at Emirates after a strongly-contested first half clash.
Marcus Rashford steered Manchester United into the lead against the run of play before Arsenal mounted a quick response through their captain Martin Odeggard to level terms.
Both sides went into the first-half break with a goal appease. Arsenal continued to dominate proceedings in the second half but it almost ended barren before two quick late goals from Declan Rice and substitute, Gabriel Jesus, saw the Gunners wrap up a dramatic 3-1 win.
The game was not without skirmishes and controversies. First, Man United right back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka appeared to have clipped down Kai Havertz in the box.
Center referee, Anthony Taylor, blew for a foul and Arsenal were awarded a spotkick. However, after a pitchside monitor review, the awarded spotkick was canceled.
Another flashpoint of controversy in the game was when Man United’s €75m signing from Atlanta, Rasmus Holjund, who was making his debut for the team, was brought down in Arsenal box with a rash challenge. United players appealed for a penalty but were turned down by Taylor.
After Rasmus Holjund’s rejected penalty appeal, Manchester United steered themselves into the lead in the 88th minute with a controversial goal.
Picking a nice through-ball from the center, Alejandro Garnacho slightly strayed pass the offside line with his part of the body ahead of Gabriel Maghalhaes. He raced into the box and slot home a cool finish but the goal was ruled out for offside.
After surviving Alejandro Garnacho’s scare, Arsenal’s Declan Rice fired Arsenal into the lead after a cornerkick but the goal was controversial due to a foul on Johnny Evans in the buildup.
”Everything went against us” – Erik Ten Hag react to defeat, applaud Man United players
Speaking to Sky Sports in a post match interview, Erik Ten Hag applauded the performance of his boys, countering Arsenal press and keeping the Gunners at bare while insisting the game was marred with officiating blunders.
He countered the decision to rule off Alejandro Garnacho’s goal as offside, insisting Garnacho was onside.
Ten Hag also blasted the referee’s decision not to award a penalty to Manchester United after Rasmus Holjund was purportedly fouled in Arsenal box and also countered Declan Rice’s goal, saying the goal should not have stand because Jonny Evans was fouled in the buildup.
“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”, Erik ten Hag said.
“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.
“I also have a good feeling because our performance was very good”.
United have now suffered two defeats with two wins in their first four start to the season and are 11th on the table with 6 points.
They play Brighton in their next Premier League game after international break before kicking off their Champions League campaign against Bayern Munich.
