Erik ten Hag punished as Man Utd boss seethes over controversial Brentford opener

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was left seething when Matthijs de Ligt was controversially ordered off the pitch by referee Sam Barrott just before Brentford's opener this afternoon. Throughout the first half, De Ligt was involved in a series of rough clashes, suffering a head wound earlier on and often receiving medical attention.

Just as Brentford prepared to take a corner, Barrott insisted that De Ligt leave the field after his head injury reopened for a second time.

This move proved costly as Ethan Pinnock immediately took advantage and scored for Brentford. Ten Hag and his assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, were furious as they aimed fire at the fourth official.

Barrott showed both Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy yellow cards for their reaction to a painful blow on the brink of half-time.

United players were quick to confront the referee in protest over De Ligt's forced exit, but their objections were ignored, with the goal standing firm.

De Ligt's difficult acclimatisation to life at Manchester United since his arrival from Bayern Munich continued, with some questioning his contribution to the team.

On top of domestic pressures, the Dutch defender has also grappled with setbacks on the international stage, notably with a spate of errors while playing for the Netherlands.

Commentator Chris Sutton weighed in on the episode during a BBC Radio 5 Live broadcast, commenting: "Ruud van Nistelrooy and Erik ten Hag having a word with the fourth official."

Sutton added his thoughts on the controversy: "Man Utd can moan as much as they like. It's a head injury and De Ligt is right to go off.

"It takes nothing away from the goal, it was a brilliant header from Ethan Pinnock. Casemiro should do better he doesn't read the flight of the ball very well."

Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman added: "There's a huge second half coming up for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United.

"Manchester United had felt their way into the game. Brentford had the better of the play in the early exchanges. It is a pretty average performance from Man Utd and everybody expects more.

"I don't think Manchester United have a point here. That is the third occasion that Matthijs de Ligt has had to go off because of this cut to his head.

"Two previous times, they have failed to secure the wound, whether that be to stitch it or put a substitution on.

"We had been asking for five or ten minutes before the goal, 'How is he still on the pitch?'

"The blood is pouring down his face, so the referee has to send him off the pitch. On top of that, the marking from Dalot is poor."