Brentford Coach, Thomas Frank insists his decision not to start new signing, Frank Onyeka during their pre-season friendly against Manchester United, rested on the player’s participation in training.
Frank was introduced in the 61st minute as replacement for Max Haygarth and did come close to scoring in his debut game, as the Bees came back twice from behind to draw 2-2 against United at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Thomas has said he resolved to give Onyeka 30 minutes because the Nigerian international has not enjoyed enough pre-season training.
The 47-year-old who lauded the capture of Onyeka from FC Midtjylland in a recent interview as ‘strong addition’ to Brentford squad, however, insisted that the player needed to undergo more fitness training.
“Brilliant, fantastic to see Frank getting some minutes,” Frank told the club’s TV.
“There’s a reason why we only played him 30 minutes because we wanted to build him, he got a little bit you know fragmented start because of pre-season in Midtjylland, and then quarantine and the transfer and all that.
“So we need to build him to get to the right fitness level but very nice to see him get thirty minutes,” he added.
Onyeka sealed a transfer to the newly promoted side from Midtjylland last week after spending two seasons with the Danish club.
Brentford earned promotion after beating Swansea City 2-0 in the EFL Championship play-off final in May.
They will begin their top-flight campaign at home against Arsenal on August 13.
