The manager of Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, has stated his displeasure with the use of VAR in football games in a statement. He implied that Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, depended on VAR for his club’s success by comparing how VAR appeared to help Arsenal in their victory over his squad. Ten Hag’s remark alluded to the idea that Arteta needed to learn how to triumph without the aid of VAR. This remark might be interpreted as a direct criticism of Arteta’s managing abilities, indicating that Ten Hag thinks Arteta’s dependence on VAR dilutes the significance of Arsenal’s victories.
Ten Hag’s remarks also highlighted the conflicting reactions among Manchester United supporters to recent losses. Some fans appeared to take comfort in the fact that this defeat did not entail contentious VAR rulings, in contrast to their earlier loss to Arsenal, despite their sadness over the loss to Brighton. This viewpoint implies a degree of disappointment or annoyance with how VAR affects match outcomes.
Because of their recent losses and what they see to be Ten Hag’s poor leadership, Manchester United supporters’ unhappiness appears to be on the rise. When a judgment concerning Rasmus Hojlund was made during the match versus Brighton, fans’ displeasure reached a boiling point. This episode appears to be the first noteworthy case in which Ten Hag’s supporters turned against him, suggesting a possible change in attitude towards the Dutch manager.
Together, these incidents provide a picture of a team dealing with internal issues, both on the field and in the manager-fan connection. The fans’ unhappiness may be a result of a mix of recent defeats, what is thought to be an excessive dependence on VAR in sports, and worries over Ten Hag’s managerial choices. Manchester United must address the situation quickly and successfully in order to win back the trust and support of their committed supporters since it calls into question the stability and cohesion inside the organization.
