Former Nottingham forest midfielder Roy Keane has responded to Steve Cooper’s claim that his side should have had a penalty in the first half of the game against Manchester United.
Forest’s calls for a handball were waved away by referee Simon Hooper after the ball appeared to hit United defender Harry Maguire’s arm as he challenged in the air. A subsequent VAR check deemed a clear and obvious mistake had not been made with the game continuing.
Forest fell to a 2-0 defeat in the game, thanks to goals either side of half-time from Antony and Diogo Dalot. But speaking in his post-match press conference, Cooper said the decision not to award a handball was a game-changing one.
READ MORE: Steve Cooper blasts 'really, really bad error' in Nottingham Forest defeat to Man Utd
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest player ratings - Felipe and Navas impress as Reds beaten by Man United
“I’m not going to say it’s the absolute reason why we lost the game, but I think it’s a definite penalty from Maguire,” Cooper said . “And possibly a second yellow card. That could be a game-changer.”
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Keane responded to the comments, hinting that he agrees with the Forest boss on the decision.
“He seems to be one of the most honest managers out there, his interview there seemed to be very good and very fair, and of course he’s disappointed with a big decision - as you would be,” Keane said.
“That is part of the game, we saw a decision go against West Ham [earlier today] and we see it every week, there’s decisions that seem to go against certain teams and certain managers but you still have to get on with the game. You have to roll your sleeves up and to be fair he said that doesn’t reflect on the game today and why they are near the bottom of the league, but they’ve got to bounce back.”
The former midfielder also delivered his verdict on Forest’s fight for survival. The Reds are currently in the bottom three on goal difference, with Keane pointing out that they’re not yet out of the race to stay up.
He added: “Do you know what? You look at Forest’s situation, as poor as they were today they are still on the verge of having a brilliant season. If they can finish fourth-bottom, survival for Forest would be amazing considering what they’ve been through - what’s going on in the background, the amount of players that have come into the club, the poor run they’ve been on, particularly at this time of the season, momentum has gone against them.
“Again, he’s mentioned that they have to have that belief but it’s well and good saying it in interviews, the players have to believe it. They’re not adrift, it’s only goal difference. Obviously their form is not great, not scoring many and conceding lots but listen, they’re down there with one or two teams and they have to stick at it. Fourth bottom would be fantastic.”
Should Forest have had a penalty for handball? Tell us in the comments section
READ NEXT:
- Bruno Fernandes reveals Keylor Navas conversation following Nottingham Forest defeat vs Man Utd
- ‘Men against boys’ - Nottingham Forest receive angry response after Man Utd defeat
- Man Utd defender Harry Maguire ‘lucky’ after Nottingham Forest penalty appeal
- Forest and the Clough years - get your 48-page special edition
- The latest Nottingham Forest news in one place
