BREAKING NEWS: “That is absolutely shameful. To be fair the penalty was an absolute robbery. Their behavior was uncalled for. Defective VAR is the cause of this” – Pundit strongly criticizes Mikel Oliver decision after footage shows handball but VAR overruled it to give Westham the winning penalty.
Manchester United’s manager Erik ten Hag finds himself under growing pressure following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday. The loss adds to United’s recent struggles, with the latest setback prompting questions about ten Hag’s future at the club.
The match was crucial for both teams, as each aimed to climb the Premier League standings after unconvincing starts to the season. United came out strong, creating several scoring opportunities early on. Alejandro Garnacho nearly broke the deadlock, but his shot hit the post, while Casemiro, Marcus Rashford, and Diogo Dalot also came close to scoring in the first half. Despite United’s promising play, they failed to find the back of the net, leaving the game tied at halftime.
In the second half, ten Hag made a significant tactical change, substituting Marcus Rashford with Amad Diallo shortly before the hour mark. The change, however, did not immediately yield the desired impact. Instead, it was West Ham who drew first blood, with Crysencio Summerville putting the Hammers in front in the 74th minute. His goal gave West Ham a vital lead and left United scrambling to respond.
Seven minutes later, United managed to get back into the game. Casemiro rose to meet a cross from Joshua Zirkzee and headed the ball past the goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1. The equalizer seemed to shift momentum in United’s favor, but the drama was far from over.
The turning point came in injury time when a VAR review ruled that Matthijs de Ligt had committed a foul in the penalty area. The controversial decision handed West Ham a golden opportunity to retake the lead. Jarrod Bowen stepped up and converted the penalty in the 92nd minute, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for West Ham. Bowen’s cool finish under pressure secured all three points for his side and further demonstrated his reliability in crucial moments, even as he has faced ups and downs this season.
The defeat has intensified the scrutiny on ten Hag, whose team has now suffered a series of disappointing performances. Despite some promising moments, the manager has struggled to get the best out of his players, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford among those who have consistently underperformed in recent weeks. The inability to turn promising play into positive results has become a recurring issue for United, and the loss to West Ham only exacerbates these concerns.
With speculation surrounding ten Hag’s future, the pressure on him has reached new heights. Reports have linked the club with other managerial candidates, including former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, fueling rumors that United’s leadership may be considering a change. Although there has been no official decision on ten Hag’s position, the uncertainty suggests that his tenure could be in jeopardy if results do not improve soon.
The win for West Ham not only lifted them in the standings but also added to United’s woes, as they face increasing scrutiny over their inconsistent form. For ten Hag, the key question remains whether he can turn the situation around and restore the team’s confidence, or if the ongoing struggles will ultimately lead to his dismissal.
Bowen’s performance, particularly his composure in converting the decisive penalty, earned him the title of Player of the Match, highlighting his importance to West Ham’s success despite the ups and downs he has faced this season.
