Referee chiefs have admitted that Manchester United's second goal against Nottingham Forest should not have stood after a controversial handball decision. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMO) contacted Nottingham Forest to concede that the goal, scored by Matheus Cunha in the second half of Sunday's Premier League match at Old Trafford, was incorrectly allowed.
Controversial Goal Overshadows Victory
The Red Devils secured a 3-2 win, but the match was marred by the decision to award Cunha's goal, which put the hosts 2-1 ahead. In the buildup, the ball clearly struck Bryan Mbeumo's arm, but play continued before Cunha scored. Forest players appealed, and VAR advised referee Michael Salisbury to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, a step that typically leads to a reversal of the original decision.
However, Salisbury opted to overrule VAR and uphold his initial call, deeming the handball accidental. The PGMO has since informed Forest that this was an incorrect decision.
Forest Manager Expresses Frustration
After the match, Forest boss Vitor Peria voiced his displeasure on Match of the Day: "The only thing that was a pity for the game in my opinion is that the game was decided by a decision and I don't agree with it. I looked at the iPad to look at the image and I stayed very calm, but in the end I think we need to have a meeting together to understand when it's handball, when it's a block, when it's a block in the box. At the moment we don't know what is possible or not, and a lot of the time we don't understand the decisions. But I must accept it."
Former Manchester United player Gary Neville, commentating on the match, described the decision as "an absolute shocker in every single way."
PGMO Admission Raises Questions
The PGMO's admission is rare and highlights ongoing concerns about the consistency of handball interpretations and VAR usage in the Premier League. The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits about the need for clearer guidelines and better communication between referees and VAR officials.
