Roy Keane feels Nottingham Forest's handball shouts against Harry Maguire could have gone either way in Sunday's showdown at the City Ground.
The Manchester United captain was involved in an incident in the 20th minute when a corner delivery into the box threatened to put the visitors under early pressure.
A VAR check for a penalty followed but Maguire escaped punishment despite the ball hitting his hand as he was judged to have his arm in a natural position while attempting to jump for a header.
Roy Keane insisted the defender couldn't 'complain too much' if a penalty had been given but feels Maguire deserves some 'luck' after scoring an equalising own goal in Thursday's Europa League clash with Sevilla.
'He probably deserves that luck. You would feel for him,' Keane told Sky Sports.
'They’re (United) all battling, if he gives the penalty you wouldn’t complain too much.
'He’s lucky. The keeper has to help him anyway,' he added.
Maguire was called back to Erik ten Hag's starting side after injuries to regular centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane saw the United boss with little choice but to thrust the England international back into the fray.
If referee Simon Hooper had decided to point to the spot then it would have rounded off a horrific start to proceedings for Maguire.
The 30-year-old had already been shown a yellow card in the 3rd minute after hauling Taiwo Awoniyi to the ground.
Maguire's Old Trafford future looks in doubt with many seeing the end-of-season run-in as a crucial opportunity for him to rescue his career at the Premier League giants.
He will likely start in both of United's upcoming cup clashes starting in Seville on Thursday before playing Brighton in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.