Erik ten Hag described Manchester United’s efficiency of their 4-Three defeat at FC Copenhagen as “superb” and pinned the blame for the consequence on the officers.
United misplaced for the third time in 4 Champions League video games to depart their hopes of qualifying from Group A dangling by a thread.
Ten Hag’s aspect led 2-Zero earlier than being pegged again to 2-2 after Marcus Rashford was despatched off. Bruno Fernandes put United 3-2 forward however the Premier League aspect once more crumbled on the finish of the second half, conceding three or extra targets in a match for the seventh time this season.
However regardless of their slim possibilities of progressing from a bunch that they have been heavy favourites to barter, Ten Hag was happy with a lot of what he noticed from his aspect.
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“We’re very disenchanted as a result of we performed superb,” he mentioned. “We began the sport so nicely. Our greatest minutes of the season. We’re profitable the sport and the purple card adjustments every part.”
Copenhagen had extra of the possession and registered 16 pictures to United’s 9, however Ten Hag insisted: “It is a sport of errors. I would not say we did every part proper however there are lots of positives.
“Even with 10 males we have been dictating the sport. We performed superb.”
As an alternative, Ten Hag believes plenty of selections went in opposition to United within the Danish capital, beginning with the decision to ship off Rashford for stamping on Elias Jelert as he seemed to guard the ball following a VAR evaluation.
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“So, so harsh,” Ten Hag mentioned of the choice. “He went for the ball and the referee wants a very long time to make it a purple card.
“While you freeze it, it appears worse. I’m very disenchanted about such a call.”
Ten Hag went on to develop into the newest supervisor to criticise the implementation of VAR, including: “The sport is rarely meant to be like this. This has nothing to do with soccer.
“I settle for unsuitable selections are made however if you make such powerful selections, you management the sport.”
Ten Hag didn’t touch upon the penalty that was controversially awarded to United for handball in opposition to Lukas Lerager – regardless of the ball travelling a brief distance and showing to strike Harry Maguire’s hand first.
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Nevertheless, the Dutchman was upset in regards to the penalty Maguire conceded for handball – the fourth to go in opposition to United within the Champions League this season – whereas he additionally claimed a Copenhagen participant obstructed Andre Onana from an offside place for his or her first aim.
“We concede two targets that ought to not rely,” Ten Hag argued. “The primary is offside and the second aim, it’s so shut and the hand is in a standard place. What are you able to do for that?
“4 penalties in opposition to us in 4 video games and two or three are very debatable. The sport can’t be like this.”
Ten Hag mentioned the choices that went in opposition to his aspect are a part of a sample that has helped to contribute to the 9 defeats they’ve suffered in 17 video games this season – probably the most at this stage of a marketing campaign in 50 years.
“This squad is so stable,” he mentioned. “All season, so many choices are in opposition to us and so many setbacks with accidents.
“There’s a spirit within the squad and each time we’ll hold going. It would flip in our favour.”
Man Utd’s remaining Champions League fixtures
November 29: Galatasaray (A) – kick-off 5.45pm
December 12: Bayern Munich (H) – kick-off 8pm
