(PHOTOS) Matthijs De Ligt's Bloody Injury
The clash between Manchester United and Brentford in Premier League Matchday 8 was highlighted by a dramatic incident involving Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender ended up covered in blood after a violent collision with Kevin Schade's knee, leaving the United center-back with a head wound that wouldn't stop bleeding, adding even more tension to what was already a tough game for the home team.
It all started when De Ligt tried to clear a loose ball in the box by diving in with his head. Instead of getting the ball, he caught the striker's knee. The impact was so bad that the defender needed immediate medical attention, stopping the game for several minutes while they tried to stop the bleeding. Despite the initial treatment, the wound remained open, forcing the Dutchman to leave the pitch more than once.
The most controversial moment came just before a Brentford corner. With De Ligt off the field getting treatment, the visitors took advantage of United being a man down and scored through Ethan Pinnock. The goal enraged both De Ligt and his coach Erik ten Hag, who argued that the defender shouldn't have been forced to leave the field at that critical moment.
Ten Hag’s frustration was clear, as the Dutch coach was visibly upset on the sidelines. The play also got a strong reaction from assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, who didn’t hesitate to express his anger to the referees. Things escalated to the point where both Ten Hag and Jonny Evans received yellow cards for their protests.
Despite the emotional blow of Brentford’s goal, United didn’t give up. In the second half, fired up by a sense of injustice, the Red Devils pulled off a stunning comeback. Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund turned the game around, securing a 2-1 win that finally brought relief to the home fans.
However, De Ligt's injury left a mark on the match and will be remembered as one of the most dramatic moments of the day. Despite the setbacks, the defender stayed strong and played a key role in a United side that showed they had the grit to overcome the challenges.