Cooper seethes at officials after Forest defeat at Old Trafford
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper seethes at referee Stuart Attwell as Joe Worrall sees red before Man United are awarded late penalty in his side’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford
- Steve Cooper was agitated by refereeing decisions not going his side’s way
- Forest defender Joe Worrall was shown a red card with the score level at 2-2
- Manchester United came from two goals down to win at Old Trafford
Steve Cooper was left seething at the officiating as Nottingham Forest threw away a two-goal lead to lose against Manchester United.
Captain Joe Worrall was sent off by Stuart Attwell for denying a goalscoring opportunity at 2-2 before United later completed a comeback via a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
Forest boss Cooper refused to openly criticise Attwell but was clearly agitated at major decisions going against his side at Old Trafford.
‘You need things to go your way. I’m biting my tongue to be honest in terms of what I really feel because they are defining moments,’ Cooper said.
‘There were other things as well. I was surprised at how quickly decisions were made. You tend to see referees take a bit more time, particularly at the top level.
Steve Cooper was agitated by the number of decisions that went Manchester United’s way in Nottingham Forest’s defeat at Manchester United
Joe Worrall was shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity with the score level at 2-2
Bruno Fernandes scored Manchester United’s winner from the penalty spot
‘Of course there was a decision to be made, I was just surprised how quickly the officials… it was split-second stuff.
‘Everyone has talked to me about the decisions and how it should’ve been different but I have to look at the moments we got ourselves in good positions and could’ve done a little bit better.’
United match-winner Fernandes believes the team can ‘achieve great things’ this season while his manager, Erik ten Hag, backed the squad’s spirit after a rousing comeback.
‘It is a horror start, giving them two goals and making mistakes,’ Ten Hag said. ‘But I am very pleased with the comeback, the leadership, how we stayed calm and composed and stuck to the plans.’
Thousands of fans sat in for an hour after the full-time whistle to protest against the Glazer ownership and Ten Hag added: ‘They are entitled to have an opinion but you also see the fans and the team have a very strong bond.
‘In my time here it’s got stronger and stronger and today we made it stronger because a magnificent comeback will help.’
Source: Read Full Article