Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag lamented a hat-trick of decisions which went against his side during Sunday’s pulsating 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus fired the Gunners to a stunning stoppage-time victory as a thrill-a-minute clash came to an unforgettable conclusion.
Marcus Rashford brilliantly put Ten Hag’s United ahead in the first half, only for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to impressively level 110 seconds later.
The match looked set to end in an absorbing draw after a penalty for a foul on Kai Havertz was overturned following a pitchside review, before the VAR ruled out substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s late winner for narrowly straying offside.
Ten Hag blamed United’s defeat on various refereeing decisions, saying “everything went against us.”
The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “The performance was alright from us. I thought we played a very good game but everything went against us – then you don’t win the game.
“We needed a little bit more luck to win the game. It was not offside [for Alejandro Garnacho goal]. It was the wrong angle.
“It was then a penalty on [Rasmus] Hojlund and then we concede a goal that’s a foul on Jonny Evans. It’s so clear and obvious.
“You can say you need to finish your chances and that you shouldn’t concede a goal after going 1-0 up. This is all true, but I was happy with the performance.”
In reference to the penalty incident involving Hojlund, former Premier League referee Mike Dean told Sky Sports: “I don’t think that’s a pen. I think it’s just good strong defending.
“They’re both tussling for it and his [Gabriel’s] arms are there but if you look at another angle, Hojlund’s got hold of his left arm so he’s kind of pulling the defender down. I’d be more than happy with that decision.”
