Man Utd stars left furious at officials for controversial call before Brentford goal

Manchester United were left furious after Matthijs de Ligt was forced off by the referee ahead of Brentford's opening goal on Saturday.

The Dutchman had endured a bruising outing against the Bees. He sustained a cut to his head in the first-half and required treatment on a number of occasions.

Before a Brentford corner, referee Sam Barrott ushered De Ligt to the sidelines once more after blood started flowing again. And from the resultant set-piece, the visitors opened the scoring through Ethan Pinnock.

United stars ran up to the referee to complain about the decision to remove De Ligt from the pitch. But their complaints fell on deaf ears as the goal was awarded. Under-fire manager boss Erik ten Hag also moaned.

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It was just the latest incident in what has been a tricky start to life at Old Trafford for De Ligt. He arrived from in the summer but has faced criticism for his performances.

He has also endured a tricky time of things on the international stage after a number of high-profile errors for the Netherlands.

Chris Sutton gave his verdict on the incident. Speaking to Radio 5 Live, he said: "Ruud van Nistelrooy and Erik ten Hag having a word with the fourth official.

"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.

What was your take on the decision?

"There's a huge second half coming up for Erik ten Hag and . 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."

Leon Osman added: "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."

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