Erik ten Hag slams three referee decisions as Man Utd lose Copenhagen thriller

08 November 2023 , 23:14

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Erik ten Hag slams three referee decisions as Man Utd lose Copenhagen thriller

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hit out at the "very harsh" red card handed to Marcus Rashford after his Manchester United team lost a seven-goal thriller against FC Copenhagen, as well as criticising the award of two of the hosts' goals.

After beating the Danish champions at home, United raced into a two-goal lead inside half an hour as Rasmus Hojlund scored twice from close range. The game turned on Rashford's dismissal though, with referee Donatas Rumsas giving the England international his marching orders for a foul on Elias Jelert.

That came in the 42nd minute, and it was 2-2 at the break after Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves scored for the hosts. Bruno Fernandes put United back in front from the penalty spot, only for late efforts from Lukas Lerager and Roony Bardghi to give Jacob Neestrup's team all three points.

"The red card changed everything," Ten Hag told TNT Sports. "It's become a different game, but then you concede two goals that never should count.

When asked if decisions went against his team on the night, he said "not only tonight". "In this moment we are at in the season, we have to deal with that, but many decisions [have gone] against us," he added.

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"It was a very harsh decision, I'm sure he was going for the ball," Ten Hag said of the Rashford red. "I thought already the review was over and then he went to the screen. So also I think the referee wasn't sure."

He reiterated his questions about the first two goals for the hosts. "I think after half-time we were better, but again as I say, the two goals should never count. The first is offside, there is a player in front of Andre Onana, and the second [from the penalty spot], what can you do about that?"

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Marcus Rashford was shown a first half red card (Liselotte Sabroe/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite taking just three points from their four games, United aren't out of the Champions League just yet. That's partly the case because Bayern Munich got the better of Galatasaray in the group's other game, with two Harry Kane goals giving the Bavarians victory before Cedric Bakambu grabbed a late consolation.

United travel to Turkey for their next game, where defeat to Galatasaray would be enough to send them packing. Even if they beat Gala, though, they may need something from their final group game at home to Bayern Munich.

They will be without Rashford for that match, with the number 10 serving a suspension following his red card. United will also be sweating on the fitness of defender Jonny Evans, who left the field through injury just 15 minutes in.

Tom Victor