Reasons why referee Andy Madley is to blame for Erik ten Hag’s team’s loss

Erik Ten Hag charged that Manchester United lost their rivalry match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium because of referee Andy Madley.

Phil Foden’s brace and Erling Haaland’s late goal helped Pep Guardiola’s team come back from down to win 3-1.

However, Ten Hag was furious with Madley for declining to give Marcus Rashford a free kick when Kyle Walker challenged him while he was trying to get free in the second half. Additionally, he believed that when Ederson dived in to tackle Alejandro Garnacho with the score still tied at one, United ought to have been given a penalty.

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Ten Hag, who was booked for complaining to the fourth official, said: “The defining moments were not on our side. I will not say it was a tackle from Kyle Walker. Rashy confirmed to me there was contact. When you are on a full speed run and get a touch, you are out of control and I think that is what happened.

“It’s a defining moment in the game, because in the counter-attack they (City) scored. We stuck to the plan and we had the moment of the reckless action of the goalkeeper of City (on Garnacho). We were really close to getting a win – or at least a draw here.”

What do you make of Erik ten Hag’s comments? Let us know in the comments section.

Ten Hag was booked for his protests following Man City’s equaliser

Back-to-back league defeats have piled the pressure back on Ten Hag. United have now lost 11 league games this season – one short of their all-time record of 12 back in 2022.

The fallen giants are also 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. But Ten Hag denied this latest defeat highlighted a gulf in class between the neighbours. He added: “No, I don’t think so, absolutely not.

“We can be competitive and it was close, but City is in this moment, don’t forget this, the best team in the world. Fifth spot can also be a Champions League place, so we have to go for it and win our games.”

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