Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag revealed that his team’s fury over a contentious goal conceded while Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch sparked their comeback victory over Brentford.
The Red Devils trailed at half-time after Ethan Pinnock’s strike, but second-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund secured United’s third Premier League win of the season.
Ten Hag was incensed when De Ligt was ordered off the pitch due to blood on his head following a clash with Kevin Schade, allowing Brentford to score from the ensuing corner.
“We felt some injustice and used it is as fuel,” Ten Hag told a press conference. “I didn’t understand why he was sent off. I went over to Matthijs and he said: ‘It is dry blood and I have to come off, I don’t know why.’ A huge moment because Brentford are very good at corners and you miss one of your best headers. We were angry at half time. It was not perfect but we controlled the game. We didn’t concede chances, we created some and then you feel injustice when you concede.”
The United manager confirmed that he never considered substituting De Ligt after checking on the defender’s well-being. “He was okay, that is what he told me. I asked him when he came off, was there a problem. No, he was 100 percent there.”
The win provides temporary respite for Ten Hag, who has faced intense pressure following United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season. However, he downplayed the significance of the victory, insisting, “It was just a win.”
United’s focus now shifts to Thursday’s Europa League clash with Fenerbahce, where they will face former manager Jose Mourinho.
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