Ten Hag explains why De Ligt stayed on
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has discussed his frustration over Brentford's opener in our 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, and revealed why Matthijs de Ligt stayed on the pitch despite requiring treatment three times in the first half.
The defender initially went down with a head injury after a collision with Brentford striker Kevin Schade, being caught by the visiting player's knee, which required treatment on the pitch and, as per regulations, meant De Ligt had to be taken to the sidelines.
However, the Dutchman was ordered off the pitch another two times with the officials believing that his initial patching up hadn't stemmed the bleeding from the cut on his head.
On the third of those occasions, with United temporarily a man light, Ethan Pinnock rose above the crowd from a Brentford corner and headed home the game's opener.
"He was okay, that's what he told me," Ten Hag told the media after the final whistle. "That's what I asked him when he came off: 'Is there a problem?' No, he was 100 per cent there, not any time [was] there a doubt to take him off.
"I wasn't furious, but I just was asking my player how he is. He said 'it's just dry blood, it's not bleeding', so we are really surprised that he has to come off."
The Bees, known for their methodical approach to set-pieces, took full advantage of De Ligt's momentary absence.
Ten Hag continued: "Of course, there was a huge moment, because Brentford are very good in corners, and when you then miss one of your best headers, and they take benefit from it, then of course you are disappointed."
De Ligt, despite his earlier injury, soldiered on right until the final whistle, and didn't appear to let the knock impact his output in the slightest.
On multiple occasions, the Netherlands international made vital interventions to break up potential Brentford attacks and even launched down the right flank himself in the final five minutes, teeing up an Alejandro Garnacho chance that came close to becoming United's third goal.
Although Ten Hag did get booked for his protests following Brentford's goal in the first half, thankfully, the sideline mix-up did not prove to be decisive.
It was Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund who made the difference in the second half via two expertly executed goals, with De Ligt and the defensive unit around him ensuring those two strikes delivered all three points at Old Trafford.