Referee Michael Salisbury rejected a video assistant referee recommendation to overturn Manchester United player Matheus Cunha's goal for a handball in a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The controversial incident occurred in the 55th minute when Bryan Mbeumo controlled Diogo Dalot's cross with his right arm. When Mbeumo's shot was blocked, the ball ran for Matheus Cunha to put Manchester United ahead on the way to their 3-2 win.
Video assistant referee official Matthew Donohue instructed Salisbury to review the pitch-side monitor. Salisbury reviewed the incident multiple times before deciding that Mbeumo's handball was accidental and sticking with his original call.
Salisbury explained his decision over his microphone to the Old Trafford crowd. "After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental, therefore the final decision is goal," he said.
Gary Neville Criticizes VAR Overturn Refusal
Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville expressed bemusement alongside co-commentator Peter Drury, claiming both heard VAR recommend the decision be overturned. Neville strongly condemned the call during commentary.
"I think that is an absolute shocker in every single way. It's ridiculous," Neville said. "The VAR have been quite clear, they said it has been disallowed, he has handballed it and brought the ball back into play. I can't believe what I have just seen to be honest."
Neville added that officials overthought the decision during four minutes of total review time. "VAR looked at it for three minutes and then the referee looks at it for another minute. They are overthinking it. They have got themselves into a real mess there," Neville said. He later remarked: "We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions. That wasn't the time to do it."
Vitor Pereira Demands Officials Meeting
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira voiced anger after the match, warning that the controversy would have been a big problem if Forest were still in danger of relegation. Pereira accepted the referee's authority but insisted the call decided the match.
"It was a pity that the game was decided for a decision that I must accept because it's the decision of the referee, but it's not my opinion," Pereira said. "For me, it's handball, very clear, but he decided not to and for me it was the decision that decided the game. If the game today was decided in this way and we needed the points to be safe - big problem."
Pereira explained that Salisbury believed the arm contact followed a touch off the body. "He thinks the control with the hand was after the touch on the body. It's not my opinion because I watch the image, and he controls the ball with the hand and the goal comes from the control. If not, they will not have a chance to shoot and score," Pereira said.
Pereira called for a league-wide meeting between managers and match officials to clarify handball and blocking rules. "But this is the doubt we have in this moment in Premier League about these decisions. We don't know what is handball or not. The blocks in the box: we don't know when it's foul or not," Pereira added. "It's important to have a meeting with everybody and try to understand the rules, the decisions. Because I think everybody, all the managers in this moment have doubts about some decisions."
Pundit Reaction and Player Milestones
Pundits Micah Richards and Roy Keane also questioned the decision at full-time. "It's handball, it's as simple as that. We've talked about VAR and their influence on games but this was as clear as day," Richards said. Manchester United legend Keane admitted he was left scratching his head and suggested every former professional footballer would want the goal ruled out for handball.
Manchester United won the thrilling match 3-2 with Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo on the scoresheet for the Red Devils. Nottingham Forest equalized through Morato in the 52nd minute and pulled back to 3-2 through Morgan Gibbs-White in the 77th minute.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson delivered an outstanding performance against Manchester United, one of the clubs interested in signing him this summer. Pereira admitted the 100-million-pound-rated midfielder faces an uncertain future. "This is an answer I don't have," Pereira said. "The market is the market, and everything can happen. What I can say to you is the club wants to keep him playing for us, for sure."
Towards the end of the game, Bruno Fernandes set up his 20th goal this term, matching the Premier League single-season assist record held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry ahead of the final day of the campaign next Sunday.
