“West Ham shouldn’t have WON that Game. It’s an AWFUL and TERRIBLE Decision…” – Football Pundit CRITICIZES West Ham and the VAR system over the win against Man Utd; reveals it’s a ‘CHEAT’

Steve McManaman has sharply criticized the decision to award West Ham United a late penalty against Manchester United, calling it “awful.” The controversial penalty occurred during stoppage time at the London Stadium on October 27, ultimately helping West Ham secure a 2-1 victory over the Red Devils in the Premier League. Jarrod Bowen successfully converted the penalty, marking a third league win for West Ham under manager Julen Lopetegui, but McManaman believes the decision was a glaring officiating error.

“It’s an awful decision, isn’t it?” McManaman stated on Optus Sport. “Whether you like Manchester United or not, that’s a terrible decision.” McManaman’s comments reflect frustration over the referee’s call, which came after VAR intervened, encouraging referee David Coote to review the incident.

Lopetegui’s position as West Ham’s manager has been under scrutiny, and the need for a win against Manchester United was crucial for him. The Spanish manager has faced mounting pressure due to mixed results, with the team struggling to gain consistent form. Lopetegui’s tactical decisions were put to the test against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, a match that saw West Ham initially take the lead before a United equalizer from Casemiro brought the game to 1-1.

Late in the game, Matthijs de Ligt’s minimal contact with Danny Ings inside the penalty area was flagged by VAR for closer inspection, leading to the penalty call that McManaman deemed unjustified. Initially, referee Coote dismissed the incident, but after consulting with VAR, he decided to award the penalty to West Ham. The call sparked controversy, as many felt the contact was too light to justify such a game-altering decision.

West Ham fans were thrilled with the result, which temporarily eased the growing tensions around Lopetegui’s management. However, as McManaman pointed out, the decision seemed fortuitous and left Manchester United supporters, and some pundits, questioning the standards of officiating. McManaman’s criticism echoed that of other analysts, who felt that such decisions undermine the competitive integrity of the league.

The London Stadium erupted when Bowen scored the penalty, sealing a hard-fought victory for West Ham. While the three points were essential for Lopetegui, many believe the team must improve their consistency if they hope to retain support from their fanbase.