Dean admits VAR angle 'isn't ideal' as Ten Hag fumes over offside call

03 September 2023 , 19:06

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Dean admits VAR angle 'isn't ideal' as Ten Hag fumes over offside call

Mike Dean can understand why Erik ten Hag was angered by the decision to disallow Alejandro Garnacho's strike in Manchester United's defeat to Arsenal.

United thought they had won it at the Emirates when Garnacho slotted home in the 88th minute. However, VAR overturned the on-field decision and came to the conclusion that Garnacho was offside, having been played through on goal by Casemiro.

That decision proved costly for United as Arsenal grabbed two late goals to claim the win. Declan Rice hammered home via a deflection to put Mikel Arteta's side in front, after Martin Odegaard had cancelled out Marcus Rashford's opener. This was all before Gabriel Jesus sealed all three points with a fine finish in the 101st minute.

Ten Hag cut a frustrated figure in his post-match interview with Sky Sports and fumed at three key decisions. One of which was Garnacho's disallowed goal, insisting that the technology had it wrong. The United boss said: "It's not offside. [It's the] Wrong angle."

Although former official Dean thought the officials came to the right conclusion, he did feel sympathy for Ten Hag. "It is very tight. I can understand why the assistant kept his flag down," Dean said on Sky Sports. "At first glance, I thought it was offside.

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"You can't fault the technology, they put the lines in the right place. I understand where the manager is coming from because the angle isn't ideal, but we have the the technology in the hub to put the lines in the right position."

Gary Neville then further question Dean over the decision. He said: "If we go back to the first angle, it looks in-line. That is where Erik ten Hag is coming from."

Garnacho was ruled offside

Dean then continued and admitted he was content with the decision. He added: "Both managers will be used to both angles. It did look offside without the lines and from the gantry, I am comfortable with that decision."

Ten Hag was also unhappy with the decision not to give a foul on Jonny Evans as Rice struck the winning goal, where the defender was involved in a tussle with Gabriel inside the box.

The third decision Ten Hag did not agree with was a possible penalty on new signing Rasmus Hojlund, who came on during the second-half for his United debut.

However, Dean, once more, thought referee Anthony Taylor made the correct call. He said: "I don't think it is. It is good strong defending. They have both tussled for it. Hojlund has got hold of his arm and pulled him down."

Kieran King