In the 8th round of the 2024-25 Premier League season, Manchester United played Brentford at home. De Ligt was treated for bleeding from the head, while Brentford seized the opportunity to open the scoring.
In the 10th minute of the game, De Ligt tried to clear the ball with a header in front of the penalty area, but his head was on the opponent's knee. De Ligt's head was bleeding profusely, but after receiving treatment, De Ligt continued to play, which set the stage for United to concede a goal.
In the 45th minute, De Ligt's head was bleeding again. After being treated for a while, De Ligt returned to the pitch, but the bleeding did not stop. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, the referee again called for De Ligt to be sent off for treatment.
However, just as De Ligt was being treated, Brentford headed in a corner and Pinnock headed home from a Diogo Dalot shake off.
Seeing Pinnock score, De Ligt even lost his temper with the team doctor, and then kept complaining to the linesman. Ten Hag and his assistant coach continued to complain to the fourth official, and both were booked.
Former referee Mike Dean noted, "It's not a referee's fault. Once he bleeds, he can't stay on the field. The referee has no choice, you can't blame the referee, you have to blame the doctor for not being able to stop the bleeding. ”