Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has claimed his side’s 0-0 draw with Southampton was “influenced by the referee” before branding the officiating as “inconsistent” throughout.
Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford was full of controversy. Casemiro was handed a straight red in the 34th minute when a studs-up tackle went over the top of the ball and into Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz.
Referee Anthony Taylor initially brandished a yellow card for the tackle but after being advised by his fellow officials to check the pitchside monitor, he had no hesitation in overturning the decision.
Minutes later and two penalty appeals were turned down – one from Kyle Walker-Peters, who fouled Bruno Fernandes when sliding in to win the ball, and another for an apparent handball by Armel Bella-Kotchap.
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After the full-time whistle, a frustrated Ten Hag made his feelings known in his post-match press conference at Old Trafford,
“Casemiro played over 500 games in Europe and never once got a red card,” he said. “Now he has two in the Premier League. His absence is not the issue, we will deal with that. This game was influenced by the referee.
“Everyone who knows something about football, you know, and of course, when you freeze it, it looks bad. But everyone who knows something about football, who was acting on top football, they know what is bad, what isn’t bad and what is fair. And I tell you: Casemiro is a really fair player, tough but fair.
“And if they isolate one, it’s a little bit the same as against Crystal Palace, definitely. When you saw that incident you should have sent off three or four players and not only one if you’re really consistent.”
He didn’t stop there, either. Ten Hag went on to suggest that Premier League referees need to show more consistency in their game.
“What I think is the inconsistency, players don’t know anymore what is the policy and I think it’s all across. We see it with Premier League yesterday,” he added.
“Leicester [against] Chelsea, the VAR is not coming on the line. Today, it’s coming on the line. And then it’s two penalty situations, but they don’t come on the line. Especially the first one, it was clear and obvious handball, so what is the policy?
“Of course we talk [with referees] but not a lot, so some questions we have. There’s another one, inconsistent. The referee is coming in the start of the season with a policy, we are Premier League, it’s coming strong here, we want intensity.”
Ten Hag is potentially risking a fine from the FA for accusing referee Taylor of “influencing” the game. Do you agree with his comments?
