Revealed: Man Utd players directed fury at VAR decision & own missed chances rather than beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag after dire West Ham defeat

While Ten Hag's style of play and tactics have come under scrutiny in recent months, the Manchester Evening News has reported that the main source of frustration for United players at full-time at the London Stadium was wayward finishing in front of goal. The players were also upset with the decision to award the Hammers a decisive late penalty following a VAR review, but were well aware that they should have been out of sight much earlier in the game with the amount of chances missed. Ten Hag was not in the firing line on this occasion.

Diogo Dalot was guilty of missing the best chance, taking the ball past Lukasz Fabianski but then blasting it over the bar. But Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund also couldn't take opportunities that came their way. Casemiro got an 81st-minute equaliser to cancel out Crysencio Summerville's West Ham opener, before Jarrod Bowen won it controversially from the penalty spot in stoppage time. The incident appeared to be nothing more than a coming together, with United players in shock when it was flagged by VAR and apoplectic when the on-field decision was overturned to award a game-winning spot-kick.

Manchester United sit 14th in the Premier League table, having lost four and won only three of their opening nine fixtures in the competition. They are yet to win consecutive league games in 2024-25 and are the same numbers of points above the relegation zone as they are away from the Champions League qualifying places.

Ten Hag has said more than once that he will only start worrying about a dearth of goals when his team stops creating chances, but squandering opportunities is itself a major issue given that it has been a recurring theme already this season. Immediate attention now turns to the Carabao Cup with the visit of Leicester City on Wednesday, but it's quickly back to the Premier League with Chelsea arriving at Old Trafford on November 3.