Manchester United’s bench and Matthijs de Ligt were glowing that Brentford was allowed to score while off the pitch in Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win.
The Dutchman was a bystander to Ethan Pinnock’s headed goal from a corner just before half time, after being forced to leave due to a head injury.
De Ligt was filmed stopping treatment and furiously kicking a ball away after Pinnock’s goal as the bench descended into anarchy.
Erik ten Hag was shown a yellow card for his argument with fourth official Gavin Ward and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy suffered the same fate after his animated protests towards him.
United’s manager put their second-half comeback down to their ‘rage’ through goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, with coach Darren Fletcher reportedly also in the tunnel to kick-off.
Matthijs de Ligt furiously kicked a ball away after Brentford scored while he was receiving treatment
Manchester United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy protested strongly against it
Erik ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy were shown yellow cards for their reactions after having to defend the corner with ten men at the end of the first half, while De Ligt’s head was covered in blood
The Man United defender suffered a nasty head collision and had to be treated three times
De Ligt had suffered a nasty head injury early in the match when he collided with Brentford striker Kevin Schade’s knee, leading to lengthy medical attention to stem the bleeding.
He had to leave twice more for treatment on his blood-soaked head, including one just before half-time when Pinnock scored.
Boos echoed around Old Trafford in annoyance as referee Samuel Barrott had allowed the set-piece to go ahead.
The venom was no weaker minutes after the goal. According to the Manchester Evening NewsUnited coach Fletcher ‘went ballistic’ at fourth official Ward at half-time.
Ten Hag claimed Manchester United’s ‘crazy and angry’ players used the perceived injustice surrounding Brentford’s goal to inspire their comeback.
“We were angry about that, we were angry at half-time,” Ten Hag explained after their first Premier League win in over a month.
‘It wasn’t perfect, but we had the game under control. We didn’t give away any chances and felt it was unfair to give in like that.
‘Every match we win is important and I think you can see the solidarity and fighting spirit in this team again.
Coach Darren Fletcher also reportedly ‘went ballistic’ with the fourth official in the tunnel
Second half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund earned the win for United
Ten Hag credited the players’ “anger” with the way they relented for their inspired comeback
“Today we added some determination to score goals and that’s what we need.”
When asked specifically why he and his technical staff were so irritated by the insistence that the bleeding De Ligt had to leave for treatment three times, Ten Hag responded to his reasons.
“It was dry blood,” he said. “So it had already been treated and it was just dried blood, so none of us understood why he was sent away. I went there and asked him.
“It was a huge moment because Brentford are very good at corners and if you miss one of your best headers you are obviously disappointed.”