Manchester United must accept a painful defeat when they travel to Arsenal in the 2023/2024 EPL continuation. MU manager Erik Ten Hag was angry because he felt disadvantaged by several refereeing decisions. Arsenal were able to beat MU 3-1 in a dramatic match which took place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 3 September 2023.
Manchester United had taken the lead through Marcus Rasford’s goal (27′), but MU had to concede goals from Martin Odegars (28′) and injury time goals from Declan Rice (90+6′) and Gabriel Jesus (90+11′). ” Our performance was actually quite good. But I think there are some decisions of the referee that should be question in this match”. Said Erik Ten Hag when interviewed by Sky Sports. What decisions does Ten Hag mean? Let’s Do It.
1. Erik Ten Hag thinks Garnacho’s goal was not offside
In the first point, Ten Hag highlighted the referee’s decision during the Arsenal and Manchester United match, Antony Taylor. This referee is known for his controversy in making decisions, and Alejandro Garnacho’s goal is an example. In the replay, Garnacho received a breakthrough pass and was able to execute the pass into a goal.
However, William Lintasa was the last person in Arsenal’s defense line in that match, considered to be behind Garnacho. Antony Taylor, had time to check Var because he was doubtful. The Angel in the Var could be debated, but Taylor still disallowed the Argentine passport player’s goal because he judged that the player’s position was already offside. “Manchester United needs luck to win. Garnacho’s goal was not offside. The angel taken was very wrong,” said Erik Ten Hag.
2. Erik Ten Hag Confused With 2 Other Decisions from Taylor
Not only Garnacho’s goal, Erik Ten Hag also questioned two other decisions from Antony Taylor. Ten Hag judged Declan Rice’s goal to be invalid because another Arsenal player fouled Jonny Evans. Not only that, Ten Hag also felt Rasmus Hojlund was fouled in Arsenal’s penalty contact during the 1 on 1 with Gabriel Magalhaes. However, Taylor did not respond because he considered these two things were not violations.
“We should have had a penalty because Hojlund made a foul. And before Rice’s goal happened, an Arsenal player fouled Jonny Evans. That was very clear and real,” said Ten Hag.
3. Manchester United are 11th in the Premier League standings
Erik Ten Hag said MU played pretty well overall. He is happy because the players can carry out his instructions while on the field. However, the advantage of one goal could not be maintain by the Red Devils squad well in this match.
The result of this defeat makes Manchester United have to drop to 11th place in the 2023/2024 EPL temporary standings. MU has only manage to get six positives from the six matches that has undertaken, with the results of two wins and two defeats. Next week, MU will rise again, but this will be quite difficult because they will meet EPL dark horse team Brighton in the next match in the fifth week of the EPL.