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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Davies

Steve Cooper needs Nottingham Forest plan to avoid Man United repeats

Nottingham Forest were well beaten on their return to Premier League action as they lost 3-0 to Manchester United on Tuesday night.

First half goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were backed up by a late strike from Fred as Forest remain in the relegation zone.

Afterwards, fans were divided on how bad Forest had been. We debated that topic on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast with host Matt Davies and regular panellists Michael Temple and Greg Mitchell. You can listen to the full episode here or watch here.

READ MORE: Steve Cooper makes Forest transfer admission as injury list grows

READ MORE: Transfer priorities are clear but Forest still have right player for relegation scrap

How bad were Forest at Old Trafford?

MT: "I think we saw what Man Utd are and what they can be post-Ronaldo. They've got 11 players who can play at pace and with precision. Some of them have years together on the pitch and training ground to pull out set piece moves like the one which led to Rashford's goal.

"I'll credit Man U and recognise why they've become a force to be reckoned with. From our perspective, it's another lesson in the level and finding that when you go to a top six or seven side it's going to be really tough. I'm not down in the dumps because I didn't expect to get anything. I'm not down in the doldrums too much. Credit Man U - they tore us apart."

MD: "It wasn't Arsenal, Man City or Leicester but it wasn't great. I don't think Forest played terribly but they didn't play well. They did create enough to score but I want to see an away plan that works.

"I don't think that plan works unless every player is exceptional individually and I don't think they were. If I was marking the players, I think only Yates was a 7/10. There were a few too many 5/10s for me. It wasn't a disaster, but it wasn't brilliant. It was perhaps a bit anaemic."

GM: "I'd say that when we went to Man City and Arsenal we would say we're losing but it's nice being here. At Old Trafford, we weren't the best team at all but I felt we were close to being in it.

"The disallowed goal was that brief moment of hope and we had nine corners, not that we didn't anything with them. We had chances but we need to be much more clinical. It was nothing like the Man City game. Man Utd beat us comfortably but they're a top six team.

"I didn't walk out feeling doom and gloom like some did although they're well within their right to. I came away thinking we made chances and there are some massive away games coming up.

"I'm expecting us to finally get their second away goal and more soon. We aren't out of it at all."

How bad were Forest? Have your say in the comments section below

READ NEXT:

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Key Forest issue highlighted as Cooper devises Premier League plan

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