Ten Hag: First-half decisions changed everything
Erik ten Hag was left ruing a series of controversial first-half refereeing decisions, as United fell to an agonising 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.
The Reds had taken a 2-0 lead inside the opening half hour, through former Copenhagen striker Rasmus Hojlund, but the evening turned when referee Donatas Rumsas decided to brandish a red card to Marcus Rashford after consultation with the Video Assistant Referee.
The hosts pulled one back soon after, and were then awarded a disputable penalty after Harry Maguire was deemed to have handled inside the area. A spot-kick for United, converted by Bruno Fernandes, put us into the ascendancy once more, only for two late Copenhagen goals to condemn the Reds to defeat, after playing more than an hour with 10 men.
Following the final whistle, Ten Had told club media that he had been highly encouraged by United's opening 25 minutes, and felt that both of Copenhagen's first-half goals were unjustified.
Following the final whistle, Ten Had told club media that he had been highly encouraged by United's opening 25 minutes, and felt that both of Copenhagen's first-half goals were unjustified.
Erik: The red card changed everything Video
Erik: The red card changed everything
Erik ten Hag has his say on the key talking points from United's Champions League defeat at Copenhagen...
“The first 25 minutes, before the red card, we played very good,” began the boss.
“I think it was the best minutes from our team in this season, so I was very pleased with that performance. We scored two great goals. And then the red card changed everything.
“But also then you are very disappointed by half-time, when you concede two such goals, because I think still we were in control. But both goals shouldn't count: the first is offside, and the second is a very soft and embarrassing [penalty] decision.”
“But also then you are very disappointed by half-time, when you concede two such goals, because I think still we were in control. But both goals shouldn't count: the first is offside, and the second is a very soft and embarrassing [penalty] decision.”
Ten Hag felt an FC Copenhagen player was stood directly in front of Andre Onana, in an offside position, when Mohamed Elyounoussi swept home the Danish team's opener, and was clearly unimpressed with the subsequent handball decision that invited Diogo Goncalves to level from the penalty spot.
Despite the Dutchman's frustration, he agreed that there was still encouragement to take from the game, even though the result leaves the Reds bottom of the Group A table.
Despite the Dutchman's frustration, he agreed that there was still encouragement to take from the game, even though the result leaves the Reds bottom of the Group A table.
'I struggle with the decisions I'm seeing' Video
'I struggle with the decisions I'm seeing'
Matchday Review: Clip | Danny Webber details his frustration towards the key decisions, including the red card...
“Absolutely [we take some positives]. We were controlling the game,” continued Erik.
“Also with 10 [men] we were keeping the game [with possession]. That is positive; we will take that. Especially until the red card, those minutes in the game, where we were dictating the game, passing the ball around, switching the game, scoring two great goals.
“That is what we take with us, but of course we're still disappointed and all the fans are very disappointed.”
“Also with 10 [men] we were keeping the game [with possession]. That is positive; we will take that. Especially until the red card, those minutes in the game, where we were dictating the game, passing the ball around, switching the game, scoring two great goals.
“That is what we take with us, but of course we're still disappointed and all the fans are very disappointed.”
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