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Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher’s reaction to the referee’s controversial penalty decision in their 2-1 loss to West Ham United has surfaced.
United were by far the better side but ultimately missed out on a share of the points due to their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and a shocking refereeing decision.
Against the run of play, substitute Crysencio Summerville broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. Casemiro restored parity seven minutes later as he headed in home.
In the dying embers of the match, West Ham were awarded a penalty. Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings came together inside the box. On-field referee David Coote ruled that no infringement had taken place in real-time but VAR official Michael Oliver intervened and instructed him to head to the touchline screen for further review.
Inevitably, Coote reversed his decision and gave the penalty – a verdict that sparked the anger of the United players, coaching staff and fans.
Jarrod Bowen made no mistake from the spot-kick to put the Hammers in the driving seat and within touching distance of all three points.
Erik ten Hag spoke to BBC after the final whistle and labelled the incident an “injustice.” The Dutchman also said that it was “unfair and unjust” how events unfolded.
According to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, United coach Fletcher was also livid and made no secret of his displeasure.
Fletcher said, “One week it’s a high threshold, next week it’s not, f—ing joke.”
Darren Fletcher, watching game with analysts in stands, summed up #MUFC feelings on VAR intervention: “One week it’s a high threshold, next week it’s not, fucking joke.”
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) October 27, 2024
Whitwell adds that Ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were desperately appealing to fourth official Thomas Bramall but their protestations fell on deaf ears.
United have now gained only 11 points in their opening nine Premier League matches. The Reds are in 14th place, having scored only eight goals and conceded 11.
The club’s next assignment is a Carabao Cup clash against Leicester City on Wednesday.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images