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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Christian Eriksen impact in Manchester United win laid bare as Steve Cooper hits out

Here are your Sunday evening Manchester United headlines.

Ten Hag on Eriksen

Erik ten Hag lauded the return of Christian Eriksen to the Manchester United starting XI after their 2-0 Premier League win at Nottingham Forest.

Eriksen was originally named as a substitute at the City Ground but Marcel Sabitzer sustained an injury in the warm-up and Eriksen was selected to start with less than 15 minutes notice.

ALSO READ: United player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

The 30-year-old returned from a 10-week lay-off with an ankle injury in the 2-0 defeat of Everton last week and Eriksen started for the first time in 11 weeks at Forest, where he earned a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.

"You know that when you have injuries you have to replace," Ten Hag said. "But I've said often, I think we have more than 11 starting players and I think we proved it today. The players on the pitch had a really good performance."

See what else the Dutchman had to say here >>>

Cooper slams decision

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has lamented the decision not to hand his side a penalty for an alleged handball by Harry Maguire in Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The Reds enjoyed a dominant win over Forest at the City Ground thanks to goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot. Erik ten Hag's side created countless chances at 1-0 up, with Forest unable to register a single shot on target in the 90 minutes.

But things may have worked out differently had the home side been given a penalty when Maguire, challenging to head clear a corner with two of his own players, saw the ball drop onto his elevated arm. Referee Simon Hooper did not award a spot-kick, with VAR official Andy Madley not deeming it obvious enough for a review.

"The Harry Maguire one, for me, is a really poor error," Cooper told Sky Sports after the final whistle. "The referee should see it and I understand why he hasn’t because of the amount of players and the angle, but why VAR haven’t is not right in my opinion.

Read the full story here >>>

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