I think Manchester United only have one person to blame for West Ham defeat - and it isn't VAR

As the dust settles on Manchester United's latest improbable defeat, Erik ten Hag must pick through the pieces as he looks to ensure it doesn't happen again.

In the moments after the match, Ten Hag hit out at the 'injustice' of West Ham's controversial last minute penalty decision and the misuse of the VAR to award a spot-kick that wasn't 'clear and obvious' but was 'clueless and outrageous.'

In isolation, the ridiculous decision to award the penalty kick ensured United lost rather than drew the game, though they might argue that momentum had been with them after their equaliser and they could still have won the match. Yet, in the wider context of the contest, what really cost United was their own profligacy in front of goal.

Diogo Dalot's spectacular miss was one of four 'big chances' wasted in the match, while they also hit the crossbar twice, saw a Casemiro header spectacularly saved by Łukasz Fabiański, Bruno Fernandes header over from close range and Marcus Rashford to even get a shot away when he was released through on goal.

The harsh truth for United is that the game should have been put to bed by the half-time whistle, never mind the full-time one, and they will continue to drop points for these reasons alone rather than because of officiating.

The last time United scored as few as eight goals across their opening nine matches of a league campaign they were relegated at the end of the season, and although they won't follow the same fate as in 1974, another season in which they are failing to compete for the Premier League title, never mind European places, is another of wasted potential.

United have created 26 big chances in the Premier League this season and failed to score from 22 of them. That's a conversion rate of just 15%. Even more alarming is that those chances aren't even failing to their most potent players. Marcus Rashford has managed just eight shots in the competition so far, Rasmus Hojlund has only had four. Alejandro Garnacho leads the way with 25 efforts at goal, Casemiro has had 13. Lisandro Martinez has had even, Matthijs de Ligt has had six.

Having gone behind twice at the London Stadium, United have only been ahead for 86 minutes in the Premier League this season. This is what should enrage United supporters more than the outrageous officiating that shouldn't have been allowed to have such a defining impact on the result.

In the weeks ahead, Ten Hag must find a way to solve these issues in front of goal, though the one crumb of comfort will come from the fact they are creating chances in the first place. The shooting stats suggest moving Rashford to his favoured left wing role could benefit the side, while there is also an argument that with a bit of luck, United could find their stride and sweep aside an opponent with four or fives goals to their name.

That is what United must target next, but the problem for United is they are not very good at hitting targets. The officials deserve plenty of criticism, but United only have themselves to blame.