'That was going in' - McFadden reacts to Forest striker Dennis nearly scoring v Man Utd 

Former Everton and Scotland forward James McFadden has underlined that Emmanuel Dennis was close to opening the scoring in the first half of Nottingham Forest's 2-0 loss to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. 

The Red Devils booked a spot at Wembley against Newcastle United on February 25 courtesy of goals from Anthony Martial and Fred,.

Dennis was originally named among the substitutes but benefited from the injury sustained by United old boy Jesse Lingard in the pre-match warm-up to claim a rare starting berth. 

The Nigeria international looked lively in the first half, making a couple of runs down the left flank.

And just before halftime, he was destined to open the scoring but saw his volley strike Sam Surridge and bounce away from goal with the United goalkeeper beaten. 

McFadden, who was on punditry duties for BBC Radio 5 Live, believed Dennis was certain to score if his effort was not deflected to safety by his Nottingham Forest teammate. 

He commented : "Dennis does well to get a connection on it and it just bounces off Surridge. That was going in as Heaton was scrambling across to his left hand side.

"It was skidding into the near post, Surridge just couldn't get out of the way of it.

"Forest have looked dangerous and created opportunities."

Dennis has not scored for Nottingham Forest since the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on October 10, a run of  nine games without getting on the scoresheet. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : nottinghamforest.co.uk

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