Erik ten Hag: Manchester United boss thinks West Ham defeat was 'unfair and unjust'

Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag says it feels “unfair and unfair” that his team has fallen into crisis 1:2 defeat after West Ham were awarded a controversial late penalty.

After dismissing initial penalty appeals, referee David Coote was sent by the video assistant referee to the pitchside monitor to review Matthijs de Ligt's tackle on Danny Ings.

After a lengthy break, Coote pointed to the penalty spot and ignored United players' protests over a handball from Ings before Jarrod Bowen converted the penalty in the second minute of stoppage time.

“Before the season there was an instruction that VAR should only intervene in cases of clear and obvious errors,” Ten Hag told the BBC’s Match of the Day.

“This is definitely not a clear and obvious error by the referee on the field.”

United dominated possession and had the better chances in the first half, with Alejandro Garnacho hitting the crossbar and Diogo Dalot missing an open goal.

“We have to look in the mirror, we don’t score points in a good game from our side. Create lots of chances and don't concede any, but when you lose like that it's a bad feeling,” Ten Hag added.

“Unfair and unjust the way we conceded the penalty.”

The Dutchman said he spoke to the officials after the game at the London Stadium.

“I spoke to them. But the decision has been made. There is no turning back and that is football,” he said.

“This is the third time this season that I feel injustice and it has a big impact on our team, our results and our position in the table. That is not right.”

The result moves West Ham to 13th in the Premier League, one place ahead of Manchester United, who have won just three of their first nine games.

Asked about the penalty decision, West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui said: “I didn’t see it. The players say it’s a penalty and the referee says it’s a penalty, so I’m sure they’re right.”

“I would rather emphasize that after the goal we keep the energy and positive momentum to win the game. I prefer to keep that energy.”