Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has revealed the reason behind the absences of Mark Flekken and Keane Lewis-Potter in the Bees’ 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday. 

Thomas Strakosha replaced Flekken in goal, while Mads Roerslev came in for Lewis-Potter, as the west Londoners switched to a 3-5-2 for the trip to Old Trafford. 

And Frank explained why the duo didn’t feature in the clash, which was decided by two late goals from Scott McTominay.

“There was illness to Mark this morning, unfortunately. And Keane-Lewis Potter is a calf strain that kept him out," he said.

When asked if there is a time frame for when the pair might return, he added: “No, not yet.” 

On the defeat, Frank expressed his disappointment at losing the game in stoppage-time but, again, as he has been on multiple occasions this campaign, was pleased with his side’s performance. 

"Of course, it’s very tough to take and to lose in the way we did, leading in the 93rd minute, so that's tough,” the Bees boss said. 

“But that's football when it's the most brutal. In general, we played a pretty good game. The first half was close to perfect, in terms of the high pressure, the build-up play, the counters, the way we defended, and I think we were well deserved 1-0 up. 

“Second half, we defended a little bit more but still defended well; I don't think they anything until the equaliser.” 

He added: “There’s a good energy in the group. Of course everybody is down now, but we train well, we keep doing the right things, and if we keep putting in performances like that, we will win football matches.”