The 2-1 defeat at West Ham United meant the end of Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United. Now, refereeing chief Howard Webb has admitted that the winning goal was preceded by a wrong decision.
Would Erik ten Hag still be Manchester United manager if the game at West Ham United on October 27 had ended 1-1 instead of 1-2? It’s not out of the question, and that’s why the circumstances of this defeat are particularly bitter for the Dutchman. Because two and a half weeks later, refereeing chief Howard Webb personally admitted that West Ham’s winning goal was preceded by a wrong decision.
In the final minute, Matthijs de Ligt had scored against Danny Ings in his own penalty area, which referee David Coote – currently suspended for openly insulting Jürgen Klopp – initially failed to spot. But after his VAR had reported and he himself had examined the scene several more times on the sidelines, he finally decided to award a penalty. Jarrod Bowen converted – it was ManUnited’s last goal conceded in the ten Hag era.
The coach, who was replaced by his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy and now by Ruben Amorim shortly afterwards, had already complained of an “injustice” directly after the game and criticized the fact that it was not a clear, obvious wrong decision, so the VAR intervention was wrong. He has now received confirmation of this from the topmost authority, albeit with a delay.
“The VAR should not have interfered”
“It was a misjudgment by the VAR,” Webb admitted on Sky Sports on Wednesday. “I think it shouldn’t have interfered. This is a situation where we would leave the decision made on the pitch as it is, probably regardless of which way it went.” The alleged culprit de Ligt had also denied any guilt, although he is ‘normally self-critical’.
Nevertheless, the superior Red Devils had every opportunity to take control of the game against the Hammers, who had started poorly and had not won since. However, the fact that they ended up without a point in this manner suited ten Hag’s tenure all the better. Since his sacking, United have won three of four competitive games, in addition to drawing 1-1 with Chelsea.
