VAR apologizes to Man Utd after controversial decision and that led to Ten Hags’ sacking
Manchester United supporters and management were irritated when VAR (Video Assistant Referee) once again became the focus of controversy during a contentious Premier League encounter between Manchester United and West Ham.
The game took place at London Stadium, where West Ham won 2-1 thanks to a late penalty call that VAR gave them, giving them all three point
The game’s last minutes were the pivotal moment. When Matthijs de Ligt of United made contact with Danny Ings of West Ham inside the penalty area, it appeared as though Manchester United would leave with a point, knotted at one. Referee David Coote initially rejected the penalty request, but Michael Oliver, a VAR official, stepped in and suggested that Coote check the score on the pitchside monitor. After the review, Coote changed his mind and gave West Ham a penalty, which Jarrod Bowen converted to give the home team the victory.
The manager of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag, was not pleased with the VAR call and its result. He criticized what he saw as inconsistent use of VAR. “In football, it’s not always the best team that wins, and today it was clear and obvious that the VAR process was flawed,” Ten Hag said shortly after the game. He cited a Manchester United game from the past in which he believed VAR ought to have stepped in but chose not to. Ten Hag said that VAR should only become involved in “clear and obvious” situations, a rule that he feels was applied incorrectly in both instances.
Ten Hag’s critique focused on the process as a whole rather than on any particular person, highlighting the necessity of more open and uniform VAR rulings. Darren Fletcher, the first-team coach of Manchester United, reportedly used even harsher language in his criticism of the uneven officiating standards.
Jarrod Bowen, the striker for West Ham, on the other hand, took a more measured stance, admitting that although he initially believed the penalty might not be given, he wasn’t shocked when VAR intervened. Bowen’s penalty kick was the game-winning goal in the end because he remained composed in the face of the high stakes.
Alan Shearer, a former Premier League player and commentator, too voiced his opinion, calling the VAR ruling “awful.” Shearer, who is not renowned for having a bias against United, showed sympathy for the team and cited this episode as an illustration of how VAR may be used to undermine rather than clarify on-field decisions.
While the wider VAR dispute rages on, leaving clubs and supporters unsure of what to expect next, Manchester United will look to recover from the frustration of dropping important points.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has opened up on what the current squad thinks about one of the top contenders to take over as manager following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal as reported by UnitedinFocus.
Ten Hag was removed from his role after a poor start to the 2024-25 season, culminating in a 2-1 loss to West Ham on Sunday. Now, Manchester United’s management are tasked with finding a replacement for the Dutchman.
Among those being considered, Ruud van Nistelrooy is emerging as a favored candidate to take on the manager role at Old Trafford.
Already part of the club, the 48-year-old is set to oversee United’s EFL Cup match against Leicester City as interim coach.
Comparisons have been drawn to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who previously impressed as an interim manager, with many believing that a few strong performances could strengthen Van Nistelrooy’s case for the permanent role.
Ferdinand spoke about Van Nistelrooy’s impact on the players. “I think Ruud brings a calming authority, I’ve seen him in the camp,” he said on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents. “The players respect and like him, I’ve spoken to a number of players, and the players are loving working with him so far.”
Yet, Ferdinand noted that the stakes will inevitably change once Van Nistelrooy assumes the full responsibilities of a manager. “It’s always going to be different when you’re the coach; there isn’t that same pressure,” he said.
“Will he change under the pressure and focus of being the manager now, or will he be the same Ruud that’s been in the building for the last few weeks?”
Alongside Van Nistelrooy, other names such as Xavi Hernandez, Ruben Amorim, and Thomas Frank have been floated as potential candidates.
However, Ferdinand expressed a particular preference for Van Nistelrooy, citing his familiarity with the club and their values.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing Ruud get a go [as manager]. He’s been there to see what’s been going on. He’s seen who are the jokers in the pack, he’s seen who
are excuse-makers,” Ferdinand explained.
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