The 30-year-old returned to the United side as a substitute at Burnley two weeks ago, following a month-long absence.

He had started each of United's last three games in all competitions, but wasn't in the squad for the clash with the Bees - our final game for a fortnight due to the October international break.

“He couldn’t make the game, he had a minor issue,” Erik ten Hag explained to Pien Meulensteen of Sky Sports before kick-off.

“If it was two or three days longer [between matches], he could have made it but now it was too short.”

Centre-backs Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire were promoted into the XI, with Hannibal dropping to the bench in the only other change from the line-up which faced Galatasaray on Tuesday.

Victor Lindelof played at left-back, while Ten Hag did not have any recognised defenders on the bench amid the injury crisis at the back.

Mathias Jensen's goal midway through the first half looked enough to have secured all three points for the Bees, before Scott McTominay sensationally scored twice in injury-time.