'Be consistent' - Erik ten Hag blasts officials after Manchester United's Casemiro sees red against Crystal Palace
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Updated 04/02/2023 at 19:35 GMT
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he was frustrated by a lack of consistency from referees after Casemiro was sent off in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. The Red Devils midfielder was dismissed following a VAR review for putting his hands around the neck of Will Hughes. United were 2-0 up at the time and held on for victory despite conceding a goal to set up a nervy finish.
Ten Hag calls for VAR consistency after Casemiro red in 2-1 win over Palace
Erik ten Hag was unhappy with ‘inconsistency’ from officials after Casemiro was shown red in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The Brazilian was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining of the Old Trafford clash after VAR spotted the midfielder with his hands around the neck of Will Hughes.
Up until that point the Red Devils were cruising towards a routine victory, as goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford had put them 2-0 up.
But Palace quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage as they pulled one back through Jeffrey Schlupp to set up a nervy ending.
While Ten Hag accepted that Casemiro behaved rashly, he wasn’t pleased after the game due to a perceived lack of consistency in decision making.
"Such things must not happen on the pitch. It starts with a bad foul. He could have injured the player. It is a big risk,” Ten Hag told the BBC.
“It is emotions getting up and both sides, this happens a lot with players pushing each other and also protecting each other. Casemiro was protecting the player to go into attack.
“Obviously he is sent off and we are totally unhappy with that situation. He takes a risk; we all see that. He can't get away with that. But for me it is the inconsistency.
“At Palace two weeks ago there was an elbow and VAR is not interfering. And in this situation he could have sent off more players. Be consistent and everyone who crosses the line is sent off, not just one player.
“It is hard when a team-mate can get injured. Like last week, we lose Christian Eriksen to a really bad foul. The team stand for each other and you need that to get results and be successful."
Ten Hag was otherwise pleased with his side’s performance and a victory that sent them into third place ahead of Newcastle United’s clash with West Ham.
"When you have 10 after a player is sent off and it is quickly 2-1, you have to hold on for the win,” said the Dutch manager.
“The first 70 minutes was all ours, we dominated the game. A big compliment for the team, we played with a lot of energy and really well in possession and defence transition. In the last 20 minutes we showed we can fight and have team spirit."
Next up for United is a home clash with Leeds on Wednesday, before they visit the Yorkshire club at Elland Road for the reverse league fixture four days later.
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