Erik ten Hag criticizes the VAR process after Man United's recent defeat

LONDON – Erik ten Hag has criticized the “process” behind the controversial decision that led to Jarrod Bowen giving West Ham a 2-1 win over Manchester United at the London Stadium on Sunday.

United thought they had done enough to grab a point in east London before video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Oliver recommended an on-field review for a penalty following a collision between Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings at the end of normal time .

Although the contact between the pair appeared minor, referee David Coote agreed with the VAR's recommendation to award the penalty, which Bowen coolly handed out to compound United's problems.

“So firstly: in football the best team doesn’t always win, and today it was clear and clear, clear and clear that the VAR wasn’t working,” said Ten Hag.

“How they worked, how they carried out their process. And before the season they explained the VAR process and only when it is clear and obvious should they intervene. So what they didn't do against Spurs when they should have done it.” Bruno's (Fernandes) red card is disturbing. There was a wrong decision and now they are making a wrong decision again, and both have a big impact on the results of the games.

Asked if he thought Coote was more influenced by Oliver's status as a more senior referee in this case, Ten Hag said: “I'm not criticizing staff, but I'm criticizing the process and… The off-field was obviously that. “VAR was Michael Oliver, but also the player on the pitch – you have to make a decision at the last moment. And it took him three minutes to make that decision. But then you have to show great personality to remember this decision.”

The defeat sees United drop to 14th in the table after being overtaken by West Ham. Ten Hag's side have won just three of their first nine Premier League games this season – which Ten Hag says is partly due to a lack of luck.

“At this moment, luck is definitely not on my side (but) it's not about me, it's about the team and it's not on our side,” he said.

“And last season it was no different, but in the end we turned the situation around and were so determined that it would be the same today.”

“But we have to change that and that will change if we keep going like we are now and in this group – Brentford, Fenerbahce, today we played really good football.”

United host Leicester City in the Carabao Cup round of 16 on Wednesday before facing Enzo Maresca's in-form Chelsea team at Old Trafford on November 3.