MANCHESTER UNITED’s bench went into total meltdown after Brentford’s controversial first-half opener.
The Bees opened the scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Ethan Pinnock after a corner-kick that saw United defending while a man down at Old Trafford.
Wow! What a drama here at Old Trafford – de Ligt told to go off to treat the wound before Brentford can take their corner
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) October 19, 2024
Brentford scores. And it explodes.
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Man Utd’s bench exploded after Brentford’s controversial openerX
Matthijs de Ligt kicked a ball away in anger at Old Trafford
Man Utd assistant boss Ruud van Nistelrooy lashed out at the fourth officialX
That is because a bloodied Matthijs de Ligt was ordered to leave the pitch by referee Samuel Barrott as his head was busted open after a collision earlier in the match.
De Ligt, 25, had first gone off for medical attention due to a gash to his head on the brink of first-half stoppage time.
It appeared the Red Devils tried to patch the centre-back up three times.
But the Netherlands international still appeared to be bleeding when he returned four minutes later.
And the ex-Bayern Munich star was promptly told to leave the pitch for more treatment.
That was when Brentford scored, leading to an explosive reaction on the United bench.
An enraged De Ligt kicked a ball away as he vented his frustrations at the late goal.
And United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy lashed out at the fourth official presumably for allowing the set-piece to go ahead while one of his defenders was receiving treatment for a head injury.
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United manager Erik ten Hag was also shown a yellow card for his protests.
However, the hosts fought back just two minutes into the second half as they equalised with Alejandro Garnacho.
And Rasmus Hojlund turned the game on it head on 62 minutes to restore confidence at the Theatre of Dreams.
Man Utd ace De Ligt was ordered to leave the pitch after he was busted openEPA
Man Utd conceded a late goal by Brentford while defending with 10 men
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag was booked for protestingGetty