'Angry' Nottingham Forest submit official complaint after controversy in Man United game

Nottingham Forest have made an official complaint to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following the controversial calls in their defeat to Manchester United.

Forest squandered a two-goal lead at Old Trafford as they lost their Premier League clash to Man United 3-2 last Saturday.

Taiwo Awoniyi opened the scoring in the second minute before Willy Boly doubled their lead moments later.

But the visitors failed to hold onto their lead as the Red Devils hit back with three goals, with Christian Eriksen pulling one back in the 17th minute.

Casemiro levelled proceedings seven minutes after the break, with Forest then being reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute.

Joe Worrall took out Bruno Fernandes, who was through on goal, with match referee Stuart Attwell brandishing a red card.

Nine minutes later, Man United were awarded a penalty when Marcus Rashford collided with Danilo.

The Brazilian was adjudged to have fouled the star forward in the box, with Attwell pointing to the spot.

Fernandes converted the spot-kick to give his side the lead to secure the three league points.

VAR official Robert Jones did NOT overturn either of the contentious calls or ask the match referee to review the incidents at the pitch-side monitor.

Marcus Rashford and Danilo collide. Image: Getty

According to The Telegraph, Forest expressed their 'anger' at Attwell's performance in an email to the PGMOL.

Club owner Evangelos Marinakis ordered officials to make the complaint as he was left furious with the two decisions.

Speaking after the result, Steve Cooper resisted the temptation to slam the referee.

"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," he said in his post-match press conference.

"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.

"Of course there was a decision to be made, I was just surprised how quickly the officials... it was split-second stuff."

Topics: Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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