Ten Hag is still not over the loss to Arsenal at the beginning of the season.

After defeating Liverpool to reach the FA Cup semi-finals, coach Erik ten Hag recalled that Man Utd suffered many unfavorable refereeing decisions in the loss to Arsenal in the Premier League in September 2023.

At Old Trafford on March 17, Man Utd won a thrilling 4-3 victory over Liverpool thanks to Amad Diallo's goal in the second minute of extra time. At the post-match press conference, Ten Hag was asked whether this victory could be a turning point for Man Utd. In his answer, the Dutch coach recalled the 1-3 reverse loss at Arsenal in the fourth round of the Premier League.

"This victory could have been a turning point, but we also missed a lot of chances like that," Ten Hag said. "For example, in the 87th minute of the Arsenal game, we should have had a penalty because Rasmus Hojlund was fouled. We also had a goal taken away from Alejandro Garnacho, and then we conceded an illegal goal."

Coach Ten Hag shakes hands with his colleague Arteta after Man Utd lost 1-3 at Arsenal in round 4 of the Premier League on September 3, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The first incident Ten Hag mentioned was in the 88th minute, when Casemiro passed the ball to substitute Alejandro Garnacho, who broke into the box and then curled the ball into the far corner past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Man Utd players thought they had made it 2-1 and ran to the corner of the pitch to celebrate. But then VAR intervened, identifying Garnacho behind the Arsenal defence and denying the visitors a goal.

Not long after, substitute striker Hojlund sprinted from home into the penalty area, dribbled across the goal and was knocked down by Gabriel. Referee Anthony Taylor did not blow the whistle, but waved play on.

In the sixth minute of injury time, Gabriel challenged Jonny Evans in the penalty area when Arsenal were awarded a corner kick. The ball fell to Declan Rice, who fired a shot that hit Evans himself, changing direction, and beating goalkeeper Andre Onana to make it 2-1 for Arsenal. Evans and Harry Maguire immediately ran to referee Taylor to protest, but the goal was still recognized.

After beating Liverpool, Man Utd will meet Coventry - a team playing in the First Division - in the semi-finals, while the remaining match is a big battle between defending champions Man City and Chelsea. These two matches will take place at the end of April.

Ten Hag is eager to reach the semi-finals and hopes the win over Liverpool will give Man Utd more motivation and confidence for the remaining period. The "Red Devils" are currently 6th in the Premier League, nine points behind the top 4.

"Wins like that help you. Every team needs moments like that. Before today, we never had that moment and this could be one," the Dutch coach said.

Coventry are eighth in the Championship, four points off the Premier League play-off spot. They are ranked 143rd in the world by Opta, behind clubs like Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr. Manchester United are 25th in the rankings.

Hong Duy

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