Roy Keane reacts to Harry Maguire’s performance after penalty and red card call

Manchester United managed to see out a two-goal lead against Nottingham Forest after a dominating second-half display. But the start from a much-changed backline was far from ideal and could’ve forced the Red Devils to chase the game away from home.

Harry Maguire returned at the heart of the defence, as did his old partner Victor Lindelof after first-choice pairing Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez sustained injuries against Sevilla during mid-week. Right-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot completed the backline in absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

The frantic start at the City ground saw Maguire receive a booking after Taiwo Awoniyi outmuscled him. In the 20th minute, the ball struck the United captain’s arm from a corner in a crowded six-yard box. No penalty was given after the VAR check.

In his post-match interview, Nottingham manager Steve Cooper was adamant the decision was wrong and believed Maguire should’ve seen a second yellow.

Roy Keane reacts to Harry Maguire’s performance in Manchester United win

However, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane, who rarely holds back, was sympathetic to Maguire. The legendary United captain said: “He probably deserves that little bit of luck.”

To be fair, after the unfortunate late own-goal against Sevilla, Maguire did deserve a bit of luck, or else back-to-back individual howlers leading to a goal could’ve shattered his confidence.

As the game progressed the England international grew in confidence and delivered a solid performance, helping David de Gea to keep his 14th clean sheet of the season by allowing zero shots on target from Nottingham.

In the 30-year-old’s last five Premier League starts United have kept five clean sheets – a stat that will please Erik ten Hag, who needs Maguire more than ever heading into the business end of the season.