Alejandro Garnacho went to ground after clashing with Destiny Udogie (Picture: Getty)
Erik ten Hag has taken aim at the officiating in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League, claiming his side should have been awarded a penalty in the first half at Old Trafford.
With the scoreline 1-1 after goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Richarlison on the half-hour mark, Spurs defender Destiny Udogie appeared to haul Alejandro Garnacho to the ground inside the penalty area.
But referee John Brooks allowed play to continue and the incident went unchecked with VAR, much to the surprise of Garnacho and Ten Hag in the United dugout.
Ange Postecoglou’s visitors again came from behind just moments into the second half, with Rodrigo Bentancur cancelling out Marcus Rashford’s 40th-minute strike, and the points were shared.
Ten Hag – whose side rose to seventh with the result – cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference when asked about the incident and said refereeing had been an issue ‘all season’ in the English top flight.
Asked whether he was ‘surprised’ that VAR did not check the incident, Ten Hag replied: ‘Yes.
‘I am used to it, all season this is the case.
Ten Hag was ‘slightly disappointed’ only to come away with a point (Picture: Getty)
‘In Spurs was similar, with a clear handball from Romero.
‘I can list number more but I think in some point I think it will turn to our side. Let’s hope for that.’
The Dutchman felt his team conceded two ‘very soft’ goals and was ‘ slightly disappointed’ only to come away with a point.
‘I think we scored two great goals and we concede two very soft goals,’ Ten Hag added.
‘Especially all the time a threat on set plays, we should defend it better.
‘The second goal from goal kick be better in organisation.
‘I have seen some good spells like the two goals but some other chances, I think it was well played but you are slightly disappointed when you come away with this result.’
Rashford and Hojlund both got on the scoresheet at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
Ten Hag reserved special praise for his forwards Hojlund and Rashford, who scored together for the first time in a United match.
‘I hope they keep going and there’s progress,’ he said.
‘They are coming up with some routines and that’s what you need.
‘Especially in the frontline where there’s tight areas and split second decisions must be made, you need that intuition together.
‘When your front players are not scoring it goes through the whole team, makes the whole team insecure.
Front players play with less confidence when they are not scoring but then in defending they know with every goal they concede it’s a problem.’
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‘I am used to it. All season this is the case.’