MANCHESTER UNITED’s bench went into total meltdown after Brentford’s controversial first-half opener.

The Bees opened the scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Ethan Pinnock after a corner-kick that saw United defending while a man down at Old Trafford.

Man Utd’s bench exploded after Brentford’s controversial opener

Matthijs de Ligt kicked a ball away in anger at Old Trafford

Man Utd assistant boss Ruud van Nistelrooy lashed out at the fourth official

That is because a bloodied Matthijs de Ligt was ordered to leave the pitch by referee Samuel Barrott as his head was busted open after a collision earlier in the match.

De Ligt, 25, had first gone off for medical attention due to a gash to his head on the brink of first-half stoppage time.

It appeared the Red Devils tried to patch the centre-back up three times.

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

And the ex-Bayern Munich star was promptly told to leave the pitch for more treatment.

That was when Brentford scored, leading to an explosive reaction on the United bench.

An enraged De Ligt kicked a ball away as he vented his frustrations at the late goal.

And United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy lashed out at the fourth official presumably for allowing the set-piece to go ahead while one of his defenders was receiving treatment for a head injury.

Man Utd ace De Ligt was ordered to leave the pitch after he was busted open

Man Utd conceded a late goal by Brentford while defending with 10 men

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag was booked for protesting

United manager Erik ten Hag was also shown a yellow card for his protests.

But two minutes into the second half, the home team rallied and equalized through Alejandro Garnacho.

And on minute sixty-two, Rasmus Hojlund completely changed the course of the match, giving the Theatre of Dreams hope again.