Manchester United use half-time tunnel anger to beat Brentford

With Manchester United attacking the Scoreboard End for the second half, they started scoring again. Twice.

Another blue-sky October visit of Brentford and another recovery from 1-0 down to 2-1 up. This was not as euphoric as last year's salvage operation beyond the 90th minute but as equally as vital a victory.

United displayed a mental fortitude and resilience they have been largely devoid of since the start of last season. Ethan Pinnock's incendiary headed goal in the fifth minute of added time in the first half was the best thing that could have happened to United.

Brentford had tailed off after an impressive 20 minutes and United were sanguine with a patient approach. Then Matthijs de Ligt's head started bleeding again.

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If there is a club where a defender has to go off before a corner that is then converted by the opposition it is United. Pinnock's indomitable header sparked fury on the touchline, in the dugout and in the stands.

De Ligt vented at the fourth official Gavin Ward, Ruud van Nistelrooy stormed down the touchline to confront him, too. Erik ten Hag remonstrated with the officials. Van Nistelrooy and Ten Hag were booked.

It continued into the tunnel. First-team coach Darren Fletcher, who had vacated his seat in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand to return to the dressing room and missed the goal, went ballistic at the fourth official. Fletcher did resurface for the second half.

United looked for anyone to blame but themselves. Their medical staff had botched the first two patch-up jobs with De Ligt and Diogo Dalot did not get near Pinnock. De Ligt spilt claret after accidentally nodding against