Steve Cooper, the manager of Nottingham Forest, expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision not to penalize Harry Maguire for a potential handball incident during Manchester United’s 2-0 win at the City Ground. This moment could have been pivotal in altering the course of the game.
On the other hand, Erik ten Hag commended his players’ adaptability after Marcel Sabitzer got injured during warmups. Despite the setback, goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot helped United secure third place in the Premier League. Their upcoming fixtures include matches against Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final second leg, Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final, and a visit to Tottenham.
Nottingham Forest, despite their efforts, remain in the relegation zone due to their winless streak of 10 games. Cooper acknowledged Maguire’s potential handball incident, stating it could have been a penalty and a second yellow card, potentially altering the game’s outcome.
Meanwhile, injuries to key United players like Raphaël Varane, Lisandro Martínez, Tyrell Malacia, and Luke Shaw affected their defensive setup. Maguire’s situation, where he had already received a yellow card, added controversy to the match. Cooper criticized the lack of VAR intervention in this situation.
United’s unbeaten record when certain key players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes start was put to the test due to Sabitzer’s late withdrawal. Ten Hag highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong squad across multiple competitions, especially when facing unexpected changes, and emphasized the need for depth in the team.
Both managers stressed the unpredictable nature of football, with injuries and unexpected situations constantly challenging the squad’s dynamics and the need for resilience and adaptability in facing such circumstances.