Major controversy as Man Utd concede after bloodied Matthijs de Ligt is told to LEAVE pitch for treatment vs Brentford

HUGE controversy erupted over Brentford’s opener at Manchester United.

Referee Samuel Barrott made the Red Devils‘ bloodied defender Matthijs de Ligt leave the pitch as he prepared to defend a corner – from which Ethan Pinnock headed the Bees in front.

United were furious, with boss Erik ten Hag shown the yellow card for his protests – but used their anger to spark a 2-1 comeback victory.

De Ligt first went off due to a gash to the head on the brink of first-half stoppage time.

United tried to patch the centre-back up THREE TIMES.

But the Dutchman still appeared to be bleeding when he returned four minutes later.

De Ligt was promptly told to leave the pitch for more treatment.

And a major row blew up when Brentford scored while the Dutchman was on the sidelines.

Many United fans blasted the “joke referee” and claimed it was “yet another big decision” against their team.

But plenty of supporters reckoned Barrott got it spot on – with some fans even pointing the finger at the Red Devils’ medical team.

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One said: “Bandage that wound from the beginning or sub him off… Pathetic.”

Another posted: “Can’t blame them, the ref can’t just send a CB out at a corner kick, unacceptable.”

However, one fan had a more balanced opinion.

He wrote: “It’s understandable why you can’t be on the pitch with a bleeding head, but it seems unfair to have to defend the corner with 10 men against one of the best set-piece teams in the league.

“Just shows the concussion rules still need taken care of properly.”

United appeared to use their frustration for good after the break, surging forward in raid after raid, with Alejandro Garnacho steering home a brilliant equaliser.

Rasmus Hojlund then clipped the Red Devils’ winner midway through the second period.