Erik ten Hag jokes about what he told McTominay before his heroic goals

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag joked that he told Scott McTominay to score twice before he secured a euphoric comeback win against Brentford.

McTominay emerged in the 87th minute with United 1-0 down and rifled in a 93rd minute equaliser before heading in the winner four minutes later.

The midfielder admitted afterwards he could not hear Ten Hag's instructions as he prepared to come on due to the din of the crowd and the Dutchman was amused at this revelation.

"I said, 'Score two goals'!" Ten Hag laughed. "You see he is Man United in every way, in his heart. So he's playing for the badge, he gives his life. When you are coming on and you give this to the team it tells a lot.

"It says a lot about the dressing room, they are together and also I felt the whole afternoon the strong togetherness with the fans. Even when we were losing, they kept standing behind us, they kept us going, the team kept going and, finally, they got rewarded.

"That is why is here. He is one of our midfield players and he can make the boxes. You see against Burnley, he played, he should have played against Crystal Palace but he was ill and came out of the team. And then others took over.

"But, as everyone, he fights for his position but it helps when you contribute like this afternoon."

West Ham United had a £30million offer for McTominay rejected in August as United held out for a bid between £40m and £50m.

The 26-year-old has dropped down the midfield pecking order with the arrivals of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat, while the fit-again Kobbie Mainoo is set to be available for selection after the October internationals. Ten Hag admitted United did not receive what they regarded to be an acceptable offer for McTominay.

"What it is, when there is the right price, then every player has a price," Ten Hag explained. "But he has a big value, sporting and also economic.

"So I want to have a player like Scott McTominay in the squad. Scott McTominay is Man United in every way. For every minute, he will fight for the match. Those players you need in the squad. Everyone else is fighting for his place.

"Still we are now in October. Normally in October, you have to find your starting XI. We are [having] a lot of injuries, we're not there, so we still have to find your best balance."