Premier League Controversy: West Ham’s Late Penalty Sparks Manchester United Outrage
A contentious late penalty decision ignited tempers as West Ham stunned Manchester United 2-1 on Sunday. The Red Devils were left fuming after Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have fouled Danny Ings in stoppage time.
VAR Review Sparks Debate
The referee initially waved off West Ham’s penalty appeals, but a lengthy VAR review overturned the decision. De Ligt was incensed, arguing that Ings had handled the ball. Despite minimal contact, the spot kick was awarded.
Jarrod Bowen sealed West Ham’s victory with a powerful shot into the bottom right-hand corner. Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was baffled by VAR’s intervention.
“It was so difficult to see,” Ten Hag said. “Before the season, there was the instruction about VAR only interfering in clear and obvious mistakes. That is definitely not a clear and obvious mistake from the on-field referee.”
Pressure Mounts on Ten Hag
The defeat piles pressure on Ten Hag, who has overseen just one win in eight games across all competitions. Manchester United’s form has raised concerns, with the team plummeting to 14th in the table.
Former Leeds forward Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring for West Ham, capitalizing on Manchester United’s failure to clear their lines. Casemiro equalized with nine minutes remaining, but Bowen’s penalty secured the win for the Hammers.
Manchester United’s Woes
The Red Devils have struggled to find consistency, wasting chances on the pitch. Their only recent win came against Brentford. Even Hull City’s owner, Acun Ilicali, suggested he would have sacked Ten Hag by now.
Ten Hag’s Future in Doubt
Ten Hag’s contract extension was delayed until three months after their FA Cup victory. The Dutchman has overseen a third-place and 10th-place finish but has failed to propel the team upward this season.
Up Next for Manchester United
The Red Devils face Leicester in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday. As pressure mounts, Ten Hag must rally his team to reverse their fortunes.
Conclusion
The contentious penalty decision sparked outrage, but Manchester United’s struggles run deeper. With their form in free fall, Ten Hag’s future hangs in the balance.
Related Topics:
- Manchester United’s Slump: Can Ten Hag Reverse the Trend?
- West Ham’s Resurgence: Can the Hammers Build Momentum?
- VAR Controversies: Is Technology Enhancing or Hindering the Game?
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