Erik ten Hag’s interview after Copenhagen defeat was the final straw for some Man Utd fans, they’ve heard enough

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag delivered a frosty post-match interview on Wednesday night after a number of refereeing decisions went against his side during their 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen.

United made the perfect start to their fourth Group A clash of this season's Champions League campaign.

Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund bagged a quick-fire brace in the opening half hour and, for large spells of the first-half, the Premier League side looked in cruise control.

But with 42 minutes played, the tie was turned on its head, when Marcus Rashford was handed a controversial red card.

After catching Elias Jelert on the shin, referee Donatas Rumsas was called to the pitchside monitor to review the decision; which more often than not spells bad news.

Soon, the home side took advantage of their numerical edge through Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves.

Bruno Fernandes restored United's lead from the penalty spot after a handball by Lukas Lerager, but Lerager made amends to make it 3-3 before Football Manager wonderkid Roony Bardghji netted late on.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the full-time whistle, Erik ten Hag pointed the blame at officials on another disappointing night for the Reds.

When asked for his thoughts on the game, he said: "Do you have one hour? I think first we played very good until the red card. The red card changed everything. Then it becomes a different game.

We concede two goals that shouldn't count. It is disappointing.

"Not only tonight. We have to deal with many decisions against us in other games. That's how it is. But the season is long. At one point it will turn in our favour.

"It is harsh decision. He was going for the ball. The review was over, then he went up to the screen. I think the referee was not sure.

"After half-time it was better but the two goals should not count. The first is offside, there is a player in front of Onana. The second, what can you do about that?

"I saw lots of positives, but in the end we lose some focus. It's hard when you play so long with 10 men.

"That was the best 20 minutes I saw from my side. Also with 10 we were still controlling the game. It's very disappointing. We fought so hard, played so good. Still we don't have one point."

“Not only tonight. We have to deal with many decisions against us in other games” 🫣

Erik ten Hag had plenty to say following his side's defeat to Copenhagen 🗣️#UCL pic.twitter.com/0LnYCqYhon

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 8, 2023

Here's how social media reacted to Ten Hag's post-match interview.

One said: "Let's see the same level of scrutiny for these comments that Arteta got over the weekend," while another commented: "They’re all at it now. Crying over decisions thinking it will give them leeway in future match decisions no doubt. Pathetic!"

A third wrote: "Zero accountability at the club. He's give the refs more criticism this season than the pathetic players disgracing the club every week. Hope this helps."

A fourth added: "He's gone full Arteta. Never go full Arteta."

Ten Hag went on to criticise Rashford's sending off, saying: "I think it was a very harsh decision. I’m sure he was going for the ball and I think the review was over and he went up to the screen, so I think the refereeing was not sure.

"After the half time it went better, but the [first] two goals should never count. First it’s offside, there’s a player in front of Andre Onana. The second, what can you do about that?"

He added in his post-match press conference: "‘In four games, four penalties against and I say three are very debatable."

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.