Erik ten Hag criticises ‘inconsistent’ refereeing after Man United draw

Erik ten Hag fumed about inconsistent officiating after Casemiro’s second red card in five weeks left Manchester United clinging on to a point against rock-bottom Southampton.

Having bounced back from the seven-goal shellacking at Liverpool with a 4-1 win against Real Betis in the Europa League, the Red Devils had to show their character again.

Casemiro was sent off in the 34th minute after VAR Andre Marriner advised referee Anthony Taylor to review the challenge on Saints midfielder Carlos Alcaraz on the pitchside monitor.

Ten Hag was angered by that decision and some penalty calls as United dug deep to stave off impressive Southampton’s threat in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.

“Well, what I think is the inconsistency (means) players don’t know any more what is the policy,” the United boss said on Casemiro’s sending off.

“I think it’s all across. I mean, you see yesterday, Leicester-Chelsea, then VAR is not coming on the line.

“Today it’s coming on the line and then it’s two penalty situations, but they don’t come on the line.

“I think especially the first one was for me clear and obvious handball, so what is the policy?”

ℹ️ The details of Casemiro's suspension have been outlined.#MUFC || #MUNSOU

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 12, 2023

Ten Hag said they had “some questions” about the officiating on Sunday, when Casemiro picked up his second red card as a United player.

The 31-year-old picked up the first straight red of his time in Europe’s top leagues in last month’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace and is now facing a four-match ban for his sending off.

“There is another one inconsistent,” Ten Hag said. “The refereeing is coming at the start of the season with a policy ‘we are Premier League, we are going strong here, we