ERIK TEN HAG was angered by “three tough decisions” that went against Manchester United in a chaotic late loss at Copenhagen that damages their chances of reaching the Champions League knockout phase.
Wednesday’s helter-skelter Group A encounter started with a Rasmus Hojlund brace against his former club but ended in a crushing 4-3 defeat sparked by Marcus Rashford’s red card.
The United forward was sent off after a VAR review late in the first half for catching Elias Jelert, with Mohamed Elyounoussi quickly scoring before Diogo Goncalves levelled from the spot.
Bruno Fernandes’ penalty put the visitors back ahead in the second half, only for Lukas Lerager and substitute Roony Bardghji to score in a blockbuster conclusion to a bonkers match.
“It’s clear we’re very disappointed and because you play very good,” Ten Hag said. “I think we started the game so well. The best minutes of this season.
“We are winning the game and I think the red card changes everything.
“Then we concede two goals before half-time, which should never have counted.
“First is offside, second a penalty and that is – in four games – four penalties against. I say three are very debatable.
“(Rashford’s red) is also harsh. I think he went for the ball and the referee needs such a long time to make it a red card.”
Ten Hag says an offside player was in Andre Onana’s vision when Elyounoussi scored and was aggrieved by the decision to award handball against Harry Maguire for Goncalves’ penalty.
The United boss was also annoyed by the slow motion and freeze frame shown to referee Donatas Rumsas by the VAR as he decided on Rashford’s red.
“I think when you freeze it, it always looks worse,” Ten Hag said. “As I say, it takes them so long and they make a red card of it.
“I’m very disappointed about such decisions. I think the game is never meant to be like this.
“It has nothing to do with football. Decisions have to be made and I accept that also wrong decisions are made by some at this level.
“Three such tough decisions, you control the game and I think the game is never meant to be for that.”
The defeat leaves United bottom of Group A and knowing they will be unable to reach Champions League knockout phase if they lose their penultimate match at Galatasaray at the end of November.
“This squad is resilient,” Ten Hag said. “The whole season, so many decisions are against us, so many setbacks for injuries.
“Every time there is a spirit, there is a fight and we will keep going because I am sure and I said to the lads it will turn – on one moment in the season it will turn in our favour.”
Copenhagen counterpart Jacob Neestrup admitted Rashford’s red card changed the dynamics of a win he felt his side deserved after their promising start to the group.
“I have never said in the first three rounds we have been unlucky,” the head coach said. “I’ve said it’s been a lack of quality.
“If there was something that was called luck in football, then we’ve got it today. But we also hunted.
“The early goal made us very, very shaky. We are the second best team on the pitch in the whole first half until the red card.
“That of course changed momentum for the next 15 minutes in the first half where we scored two goals.
“Of course the red card changed the opportunities in the game and for me as Copenhagen coach it was by far the weakest performance we have had in this group stage so far.
“If you take the picture today, then we maybe didn’t deserve three or maybe even one point.
“But if you take it over four rounds, then it’s very, very well deserved that Copenhagen is in second place because I believe truly that we have been the second best team over four games. Not today, but over four games.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
If they’re going to be consistent on this then it’s a red all day long every day of the week
@mainmsam: but someone will do it on saturday and it’ll be a yellow
@Brian Dunne: then like I said if there’s a consistent decision made so be it. I will say though the slow motion replay the ref looks at makes it look 10 times worse than it actually is
@mainmsam: absolutely. There was obviously zero intention on rashfords part last night but show a still picture and it looks like he’s trying to break the lads leg.
@Brian Dunne: same thing with Jones V Spurs. If they can’t show the ref a real time clip and have him make his mind up on that, it’s not worth the time spent
@mainmsam: talking Liverpool about a game involving Manchester United and Copenhagen wow.
@paulie: red the article read what I posted, then the exchange between myself & Brian. Do that slowly, I’ll give you a hint the key word is consistency
@paulie: Nonsense. So now you’re not allowed read an article or comment on it unless you support the team in the headline. Jeez you must have a pretty boring life.
The main point of this article is about VAR which has been shocking and has affected many teams the last 7 days.
@mainmsam: Exactly the same as Jones. Was harsh in both cases and you’re correct, there has to be consistency.
@paulie: And?! Still sore from last nite are ya!
They just couldn’t cope in hagen. “I’m lovin it”.
Between VAR and cynical fouls the game is rapidly descending into a TV drama. There’s no need for this in the game.
The bad sneaky tackles and all this jostling and pushing at corners that was born in Spain and Italy must be stamped out.
(pun not intended)
Same happened Curtis Jones a few weeks ago, anyways Maguire is a liability at the back, he nearly gave away a penalty in the first minute.
@Liam23: He gave one away in 45+9 instead. A waster!
Poor owl egg head, I said he’d be gone by xmas..
@MartyCharles: Stay classy there McFly
The 2 auld bitter heads with nothing but bitterness first to comment on yet another united article. So sad
@Jaffa: it’s a football article on a sports site Jaffa. There’s no firewall to block non United fans ya know. For a fixed period anyone can post their opinion on a game of football. You need to get over that at this stage
@Jaffa: would you like some cheese with that whine!
@damien leen: oh united had a bad result so man child rushes to his phone and lets post a silly comment. Hope your real life is a bit more fun than you’re sad troll life on the 42
@mainmsam: put the phone down lad. Go for a walk, read a book but no let’s rush to post a Del Boy like comment and hope people like it.
@Jaffa: I’d rather a Del Boy comment then a childish one Jaf
The way Rashford was playing and giving the ball away, the red card probably made no difference
@Man Dog: utd fell off a cliff after the red card.and as soon as Copenhagen pulled one back utd bottled it which is becoming a habit.
@Paully kells: they did,,, but it was like they were playing with 10 men for the whole game
@Man Dog: agree,rashford hasn’t been at the races atal this season. Although think it was very harsh red card as he was trying to protect the ball and never once looked at the opposition player.slow motion makes it look alot worse..game is gone.
@Paully kells: Fell off a cliff ??
They were never on it…….. They are at the bottom trying to climb up on it and failing badly!!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: they were 2-0 and cruising were you even watching it were you??
I really enjoy watching MU play these days. The Hatters must fancy their chances of getting something out of the game Saturday! :-)
Graham Pickett HR W#nker: Please don’t sack Ten Hag before the trip to Anfield next month. 7 last season, what will it be this season ; )
“Played very good” ETH says against a bang average side. Cant defend to save their lives, cant attack or hold onto the ball. Depressing as a United fan. Delusional!
@Tom: I agree tom,dalot is getting worse by the game,that clown in nets that won’t leave his goal line and command his area is just awful,we have turned varane into a clone of Maguire,Jesus he just doesn’t want the ball,mc sauce was finished after 4 mins and Bruno is the most over rated player in Europe,apart from that we are just rubbish LUHG
I hate managers who aren’t honest in post match interviews which is probably most of them. The current and previous Brighton managers are probably the best. Never made excuses or blamed the referee.
@Michael Ruane: So your saying Klopp was wrong to blame the officials for what went on at Spurs?? Their only defeat in nearly 30 games was 100% because of them
I’m talking in general not zoning in any recent incidents..
Graham Pickett Corrupt HR Guru: Ten Haag is doing a great job. Unreal to have them in the top 4 in Europe. Give him a lifetime contract.