Match of the Day pundits have given their verdict on Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Manchester United and shared their views on the Harry Maguire handball incident.
Forest headed into the game knowing they needed a huge performance at the City Ground to help boost their survival hopes. Keylor Navas certainly rose to the occasion with several impressive saves to frustrate Erik ten Hag’s side.
Despite his best efforts, though, Antony was able to put Man United ahead in the first half before Diogo Dalot ensured defeat for Forest on Sunday. It is a result that leaves the Reds in the bottom three but level on points with Everton in 17th and Match of the Day 2 pundits pointed to a lack of attacking intent from Forest as the reason for their poor run of form.
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“ It certainly is (a muddle),” Nedum Onuoha said on Match of the Day 2 . “ I think what makes it worse is, whatever combination we see them go for doesn’t really work. It seems like Brennn Johnson’s done well, Awoniyi was doing well for a while before he got injured but, again, they didn’t look that dangerous today.
“When you see the fact that those two are up there and Gibbs-White, the creativity behind them, what do they create? The answer is very little and that sends an alarm because this Manchester United defence today is one most Man United fans are uncomfortable with.
“Yet, overall, they didn’t feel that much pressure, especially at the City Ground, which should be a tough place to get points”, he continued.
“It’s a shame for them because their home form is something that was giving them hope, not that long ago.”
Fellow pundit Jill Scott looked at Forest’s midfield and questioned whether the Reds were playing a possession-based or counter-attacking style under Steve Cooper. However, Forest could have been given an early gift when the ball struck Harry Maguire’s arm, with the game still goalless. Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman explained that VAR chose not to award a spot kick because the incident had taken place in a congested area.
"I was surprised it wasn’t given,” admitted Onuoha. “I think there was something (Cooper) said about them missing it. I don’t think they’ve missed it, I think they’ve seen it and decided that’s fine. That’s what I don’t understand, why’s that fine?”
Jill Scott added: “I did feel like there was a lot going on. When I played I was all limbs as well, so I’m kind of going to stick up for Harry Maguire here! Obviously, the ball does hit his arm but it is a congested area.”
Forest had already caused Maguire to be shown an early yellow card as he wrestled Taiwo Awoniyi to the ground in the third minute.However, Onuoha believed that the Reds should have focused more of their attacks towards Maguire, having already committed an early error.
“We see the way this game started with that American Football tackle from Harry Maguire,” Onuoha said, “when somebody is on a yellow card like that, this is the type of thing that I would’ve expected to see more (targeting Maguire). Go and apply the pressure.”
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