Steve Cooper claims Harry Maguire referee decision was a ‘game-changer’ in Man Utd loss

Steve Cooper has claimed the decision not to give a penalty against Harry Maguire on Sunday was a ‘game-changer’ as Nottingham Forest lost 2-0 to Manchester United.

The Red Devils came away from the East Midlands thanks to goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot, but it could have been a different outcome had a penalty been awarded against Maguire at the end of the first half.

The ex-Leicester City man jumped for a header with Scott McKenna in the United box and the ball clearly struck his hand. However, referee Simon Hooper failed to award the spot-kick and a VAR check decided it was not worthy of awarding a penalty.

It was an especially pivotal moment in the game given Maguire had already been booked, and a penalty award may have seen United reduced to 10 men and the game tied at 1-1 not long before half-time.

Speaking after the match, Cooper aired his frustrations about the incident. “I am not going to say it is the absolute reason we why we lost the game but I think it is a definite penalty from Maguire and possibly a second yellow card and could be a game-changer,” said the Forest manager.

“I repeat, it is not the reason why we lost and I am not going to hide behind a penalty decision, but I do think it is a really, really, really bad error. One from the referee on the pitch, but benefit of the doubt from that angle and bodies around the ball, but for VAR not to give it.

“They apologised last week and they are going to have to apologise again tomorrow, which means absolutely nothing, but it’s too many times for me and we are on the back end of one this week.”

The three points from the City Ground sees United move into third in the table and above Newcastle United. It also means the Red Devils now have a six-point gap to fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur and have a game in hand on the North London club.