West Ham penalty 'key issue' in bombshell Dermot Gallagher verdict as Man Utd sack Erik ten Hag

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has underlined a 'key issue' in the current VAR process after the controversial penalty incident as West Ham beat Manchester United 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Both the Hammers and the Red Devils have struggled for consistency this season and looked to be sharing a point at the London Stadium as a Casemiro goal cancelled out a Crysencio Summerville opener in the second half. However, referee David Coote was sent to the monitor by VAR with minutes left to play following a coming together between Matthijs De Ligt and Danny Ings.

Coote decided to award the penalty, which Jarrod Bowen converted to pick up three points for West Ham. That defeat for Manchester United proved the final blow to Ten Hag’s tenure with the manager sacked on Monday morning.

Manchester United sack Erik ten Hag

A club statement read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager. Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future. Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

That controversial penalty decision has reignited the VAR debate and was centre of talk on Sky Sports' Ref Watch on Monday.

Gallagher blasts use of VAR in West Ham vs Man Utd

Gallagher said: "I'm second guessing but I think he's seen the thigh come together, he thinks De Ligt has gone into him, he's had a quick look, made his judgement and recommended... I think that's a key issue, the word recommended.

"He's only recommended he goes and looks at the monitor. I know we all say, they go to the monitor, there's a hard and fast thought that it's going to be changed. That's because, by definition, I'm sending you to the monitor because I think you've made a clear and obvious error, straight away that's in the referee's mind but don't forget he does retain all options.

"He can stick with his on-field decision. I really did think he would. As you were watching the monitor, the more I saw it, the more I was convinced it wasn't a penalty."

Bowen - ‘I thought it wasn’t a pen’

Following the decision the Premier League confirmed that VAR deemed there to be 'sufficient contact' on Ings to recommend an on-field review.

Having scored the winner, West Ham man Bowen said following the game: "At the time I saw [Danny] Ings got kicked and I think they got kicked so I thought it wasn't a pen. I had a feeling it might get given and then Cre [Summerville] had the ball and it was a waiting game.

"With penalties you have a routine you know where you're going. But when you're waiting you're thinking shall I go the other way? But I stuck with what I know and stepped up and wanted to dispatch and thankfully I did that."