West Ham vs Man United VAR clarity as Michael Oliver thinking explained amid Erik ten Hag fury

Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by West Ham on Sunday with a last-gasp controversial penalty proving the difference.

United had rallied from conceding in the second half to level thanks to Casemiro but VAR then intervened on a challenge by Matthijs de Ligt on Danny Ings and a spot kick was given. Jarrod Bowen converted and a furious United were left wondering how the decision had gone against them and how they hadn't managed to win the game given the volume of first half chances they spurned.

Erik ten Hag's men are back in action in midweek when they host Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. Here are you evening United headlines.

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Ten Hag fury

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised the Premier League's Video Assistant Referee process and suggested on-pitch official David Coote lacked the personality to not give West Ham a penalty.

VAR Michael Oliver recommended Coote review Matthijs de Ligt's collision with Danny Ings and award a penalty. The Premier League Match Centre wrote that, "The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty."

The Premier League have introduced the 'referee's call' this season to give on-pitch officials the benefit of the doubt and United were outraged Oliver advised Coote to review the incident between De Ligt and Ings. Jarrod Bowen converted the 92nd-minute penalty to inflict a fourth league defeat on United this season.

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Premier League statement

West Ham United were controversially awarded a penalty during their 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

United found themselves 1-0 down after Crysencio Summerville put the Hammers in front. Casemiro then went on to equalise for Erik ten Hag's side moments later.

But the hosts were subsequently awarded a penalty, converted by Jarrod Bowen, after referee David Coote was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR official Michael Oliver to review Matthijs de Ligt's challenge on Danny Ings. And an explanation has now been offered as to why the penalty was awarded.

"The VAR deemed there was sufficient contact on Ings’ lower leg and recommended an on-field review," the Premier League match centre account said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The referee overturned his original decision and awarded a penalty."

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