Erik ten Hag says Manchester United used Brentford's "unfair" opener as fuel after they fought back for a vital 2-1 Premier League victory at Old Trafford.
United appeared to be heading for another demoralising loss when Ethan Pinnock headed home in first-half stoppage time, amid fury from United's players and fans.
The Red Devils were forced to defend the corner with 10 men as defender Matthijs de Ligt was ordered off the pitch for treatment after bleeding from his head – the result of an earlier collision with Kevin Schade.
While rules say players cannot be allowed to continue while bleeding, Ten Hag was incensed by referee Samuel Barrott asking him to leave the field.
"We didn't know why the referee brought one of our players in a critical moment off the pitch," he told BBC Match of the Day.
"It was dry blood – it happened before. Then in a critical moment on a corner for them, which is their strength, they bring one of our best headers off and Brentford benefit from it."
However, he hailed United's powers of recovery as second-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund fired them to just their third Premier League win of the season.
"We are happy to win the game. At United, you have to win games but also to bring entertainment," the Dutchman continued.
"I think for everyone it was an enjoyable game. Especially the way it happened, when you concede an unfair goal.
"In the second half, we showed we are together, we showed determination and we scored two beautiful goals.
"Everyone was angry. We took that as fuel. We showed with a quick start in the second half that we wanted to put things right and we did with two beautiful goals."
Scored just 89 seconds after the restart, Garnacho's goal was United's quickest after half-time in a Premier League match since October 2022 (Fred versus Tottenham, 76 seconds), and their earliest leveller after the break since February 2014 (Robin van Persie versus Stoke City, 87 seconds).
United have now won all four of their home Premier League games against Brentford, meanwhile, only facing Wigan Athletic (eight), Birmingham City and Portsmouth (seven each) more often at Old Trafford while boasting a 100% win ratio.
luoadeinp
0
Pls stop playing onana 🇸🇬
luoadeinp
0
Pls stop playing onana 🇸🇬
ksantos
0
I guess Benny McCarty was right, Ten Hag was lacking that fire 🔥 that inspired them the come back
Australia7853904
1
All goals which are legal are a goal. We win One match and everyone is happy I think it’s too early to say we are out of trouble and should see if we win the next Two matches before making decisions. We continue to improve which is great but too early to say we are on our way back. We still have a few injuries and Bruno is out for our next match which is just as important as EPL. We did well but not 100% for some players. We need to win our next four matches to secure a better position, 10th position is definitely not something to cheer about. Good Luck Manchester United
Keizy
0
This egg head never ceases to amaze me, why did your medical staff bring back a bleeding player, don’t they know the rules,and now you are forcing people to accept that the game was entertaining so this is what you call entertaining soccer, you are just a low class coach
would like to see u, the way u gat to the energy to call someone egg head. please respect pipoz professionals.
bamadiloty
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A low class coach won 2 trophies in 2 seasons while LiVARpool only won carabao in the same period. A low class coach has won trophies for 6 seasons in a raw. What a low class coach
🤣🤣🤣🤣 talking about carabao shame, we talk about champions league, winning carabao and finishing 8th 🤣🤣🤣 top top top level coach 🤣🤣🤣🤣
benjiNEpadiDem⚓
1
Zewadeklpz
0
This egg head never ceases to amaze me, why did your medical staff bring back a bleeding player, don’t they know the rules,and now you are forcing people to accept that the game was entertaining so this is what you call entertaining soccer, you are just a low class coach
A low class coach won 2 trophies in 2 seasons while LiVARpool only won carabao in the same period. A low class coach has won trophies for 6 seasons in a raw. What a low class coach
Alopenu
0
This egg head never ceases to amaze me, why did your medical staff bring back a bleeding player, don’t they know the rules,and now you are forcing people to accept that the game was entertaining so this is what you call entertaining soccer, you are just a low class coach
Loserpool fans should shut and face their club. Ten Hag has won us 2 trophies in 2 season...let this ur current coach do that first
bamadiloty
4
This egg head never ceases to amaze me, why did your medical staff bring back a bleeding player, don’t they know the rules,and now you are forcing people to accept that the game was entertaining so this is what you call entertaining soccer, you are just a low class coach
Maubcptuyz
0
Ten hag said it’s a dry blood
Dry when it’s dripping kkkkk
Wiabeloptz
0
The referee is a Liverpool fan
clown
Paenostuy
0
The referee is a Liverpool fan
Pihabepst
2
hie guys l want pictures
Vicsammy
3
Ten hag said it’s a dry blood