Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ten Hag takes aim at referee after Man Utd lose late on to Brighton: ‘Maybe he got a push in the back…’

Erik-ten-Hag-Manchester-United-manager

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has given his reaction after his team conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium. 

It looked as if the Red Devils would hang on to a 0-0 draw, but Luke Shaw handled the ball in the final minute of injury time to give Alexis Mac Allister the golden opportunity to score.

The Argentina international has, ironically, been linked with a move to Man Utd recently. However, he stepped up confidently and smashed the ball into David de Gea’s top left corner.

Indeed, it was a deserved victory for Brighton, who largely dominated the game – especially in the second half.

Marcus Rashford had multiple attempts on goal earlier in the game and Man Utd could argue they were unlucky not to score. But, Roberto de Zerbi once again got his tactics spot on and played Brighton far better towards the end.

De Gea did make some excellent saves before the penalty, while the likes of Casemiro and Shaw, prior to the handball, put in spirited performances.

The result sees Man Utd remain in fourth in the Premier League table – but Brighton have now closed the gap to eight points, having played one game less than them.

READ MORE: Man Utd in ‘advanced discussions’ for Bundesliga sensation as Ten Hag plans to axe lacklustre player

Ten Hag: ‘There were so many bad tackles tonight’

Ten Hag was a frustrated figure in his post-match interview, and said his team have to be more ruthless in front of goal in the final games of the season.

“We have to be more clinical on our chances we produced in the first half. In the end we gave away a goal and that can’t happen,” he told Sky Sports.

“It was also a little unlucky because it was never a free kick from where the corner came from but then you can’t bounce back anymore and that is what we have to do on Sunday.

“We had the chances clear. Great opportunities, one has to be in.”

When asked whether Man Utd’s failure to convert chances concerned him, Ten Hag added: “I don’t have concerns. It is about keeping the focus. Don’t lose the focus, then we take that point. In the end if you can’t win it because you don’t finish the chances then don’t lose.

The Man Utd boss then turned his attention to the referee, who he thought missed multiple fouls in the game.

“[For the penalty] it is handball, maybe he is out of balance or maybe got a push in the back.

“My anger is more about the free kick before the corner, it was never a free kick. There were so many bad tackles tonight,” he added.

“But, it is not about the officials, we have to finish the chances, be more clinical and don’t make the mistakes we did like in the last seconds.

“We have everything in our hands and we have to bounce back. We take the lessons from tonight and we have to move on.”

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