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Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has lambasted the VAR for not sending off Harry Maguire in his team’s 2-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Sunday (April 16).
Before Antony (32 minutes) and Diogo Dalot (76 minutes) got on the scoresheet, there were shouts of a handball inside United’s box. In the 19th minute, the ball had ricocheted off Maguire’s arm before Brennan Johnson failed to turn home the loose ball. A VAR check was conducted but no penalty was awarded to the hosts.
In a post-match press conference, Cooper not only claimed that it was a clear handball but also declared that Maguire, who was already on a yellow, should have been dismissed. Cooper said (via GOAL):
“Harry Maguire's was a definitely penalty (for handball). Then a second yellow card and red. A terrible decision. How have VAR not picked up on that? Another call and apology from them then, which won't help.”
The Red Devils captain saw the first yellow just three minutes into the game. After being outsmarted by Taiwo Awoniyi, the Englishman committed a tactical foul to stop Forest from hitting United on the break.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag provides update on Marcel Sabitzer injury
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has said that Marcel Sabitzer felt something during the warm-up ahead of the clash against Nottingham Forest. As a result, United opted not to field the Austrian after naming him in the starting XI.
Speaking to MUTV, Ten Hag said that further tests need to be carried out to determine the extent of Sabitzer’s injury (via Manchester Evening News):
"He had a problem in the warm-up. We didn't take the risk because we already have some injuries, so we have to find out tomorrow (Monday). Hopefully, it's not a big injury. We chose not to go into the game with risk.”
On loan from Bayern Munich, Sabitzer has performed well for the Red Devils this season. Last week, he played his best game for Manchester United, scoring both goals in the 2-2 draw with Sevilla at home in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg.
