I saw Van Nistelrooy and Fletcher spark Manchester United comeback with furious tunnel rant
Man Utd came from behind to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford and they used a sense of injustice at half-time to fuel a second-half comeback.
Manchester United came from behind to beat Brentford at Old Trafford for the second year in a row in the Premier League, buying Erik ten Hag some breathing room and ending a run of five games without a win.
United fell behind in controversial circumstances. In first-half stoppage time, Ethan Pinnock headed in a corner while Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch receiving treatment.
Ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were both booked for protesting the decision, but it sparked a response from United, and second-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund earned United their third league win of the season.
They had come into this fixture on a run of five without a win and with Ten Hag under mounting pressure, but their second-half performance merited victory, and they saw it through without any scares.
These are some of the moments you might have missed from Old Trafford:
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Van Nistelrooy fury
Manchester United only had themselves to blame for being down a centre-back as Brentford prepared to take a corner in the final seconds of the first half. It was the third time De Ligt had been ordered off because of blood pouring from his head, and the failure to step in was negligent and costly.
That didn't stop United's furious protestations against a team of officials simply upholding the rules. De Ligt jumped up and down in frustration and booted a water bottle before Van Nistelrooy charged down the touchline to fourth official Gavin Ward and showed his displeasure. It was as angry as Van Nistelrooy has been since his return to United.
They continued the debate into the tunnel at half-time, and Brentford players were dragged into the discussions. When Van Nistelrooy returned for the second half, he marched down the touchline as if still in a state of fury.
It was telling that while Van Nistelrooy raced out of the technical area to complain, Ten Hag didn't venture too far. His body language showed his unhappiness, but he let his assistant display his anger. Both got booked, but it was the former striker who showed the more visceral reaction. United fans would have loved that passion.
Fletcher's rage
On a similar theme, Darren Fletcher stormed down from his seat at the back of the Sir Bobby Charlton stand before the goal but saw what had gone on and was waiting in the tunnel to greet the officials.
Fletcher, with son Jack making his way in from the bench, was furious as he confronted Ward in the tunnel, raging against the decision to force De Ligt off and leave United a man down.
So strong was Fletcher's reaction that some suspected he might have been shown a red card when he initially didn't reappear in the stands, but he was soon back in his seat and enjoying the comeback he was watching.
Ferguson chant
Sir Alex Ferguson's absence from the directors' box was notable on Saturday. He had made headlines this week after his £2million-a-year ambassadorial role was ended. He opted for Celtic vs Aberdeen instead.
His status as an ambassador will end when this season ends, and Ferguson, 82, seems to be accepting of Ineos' latest cost-cutting measure, but the Scot holds a special place in the hearts of every United fan.
There is a statue of him outside Old Trafford and a stand named after him. He wasn't in attendance, but for five minutes in the first half, a group of fans in the Stretford End serenaded him with 'Every single one of us loves Alex Ferguson'. At a time when frustration at the performance was bubbling away, it felt telling.
Family support
The directors' box tends to fill up only in the final moments before kick-off, with the dignitaries making the most of the hospitality before taking their seats, but on Saturday, two people took a seat towards the back almost an hour before kick-off.
Hayley Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher took their seats in time to see the players come out for the warm-up on what was a special day for the family. Jack Fletcher, son of Hayley and Darren, twin brother of Tyler, made a matchday squad for the first time, with Toby Collyer joining Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount on the midfield injury list.
Jack and Tyler were regulars in the directors' box before they moved from Manchester City to United in July 2023, watching the club their dad represented with distinction and now works for.