Erik ten Hag criticized the “inconsistent” VAR after Manchester United’s Casemiro was the only player to be sent off after a massive brawl in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace. Bruno Fernandes’ early penalty and Marcus Rashford’s goal put United on course for a 13th consecutive home win in all competitions. But the Ten Hag side had to survive a nervous final at Old Trafford after Brazilian midfielder Casemiro was sent off before Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp scored to close the deficit.
Just before his goal, Schlupp had pushed United winger Antony off the pitch, sparking a fight between both sets of players that ended with Casemiro being shown a straight red card for violent conduct.
Referee Andre Marriner was advised by VAR to look on the pitch’s monitor to watch footage of Casemiro grabbing Palace’s Will Hughes by the throat.
“It was a really high level in the first 70 minutes before the incident and then you see that this team is standing for each other,” said Ten Hag.
“It’s such a good spirit for the team and they don’t accept it if one of our players could get seriously injured. That’s the way Antony was treated.”
“This team stays together, but of course you have to control your emotions, but at a time like this it’s really difficult.
“Then I see two teams fighting each other, I see two teams where players, multiple players, cross the line and then one player is picked and sent off. To me that’s not right.”
United’s victory consolidated their hold on third place in the Premier League.
Glans was taken off the result by Casemiro’s red card and Ten Hag said Schlupp took a “huge risk” in pushing Antony off the field, saying he could have been “seriously injured”.
The Dutchman also claimed Palace’s Jordan Ayew “absolutely” should have been sent off for his actions in the fight that followed, with the recent lack of VAR consistency infuriating him.
“You bring it up, but that was one of the players who did even worse, I would say, than Casemiro,” Ten Hag said of Ayew.
“With Casemiro you freeze the moment and he crosses the line there, but I certainly do.
“As a VAR you have to be consistent. Last week we missed Christian Eriksen (who is out for three months) due to a serious foul. No interference from the VAR.”
“At Crystal Palace (last month) (Jean-Phillipe) Mateta (Lisandro) elbows Martinez, he’s been running for two weeks with a mark on his eyebrow and (VARs) don’t interfere. I can’t see this being good it.”
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira was also furious with the officiating.
Vieira stormed straight at Marriner, but when asked what he said to officials, he replied, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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