Premier League explain ‘shocking’ Man Utd goal controversy as referee overrules VAR

Manchester United were awarded a controversial goal in their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, with referee Michael Salisbury sticking with his original decision

The Premier League Match Centre have issued an explanation after Manchester United had a goal controversially awarded against Nottingham Forest. Referee Michael Salisbury was instructed to review the pitch-side VAR monitor after Bryan Mbeumo controlled the ball between his arm and his body moments before Matheus Cunha struck into the bottom corner to put United 2-1 ahead.

However, despite VAR advising that the goal should be chalked off, Salisbury overruled his colleagues, announcing to the Old Trafford faithful that the goal would remain. It was eventually determined that the handball infringement was accidental. The Premier League Match Centre stated: “#MUNNFO – 55′ After VAR review, the referee stuck with the original decision to award a goal to Manchester United. Referee announcement: ‘After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental, therefore the final decision is goal.'”

The Forest squad and their boss Vitor Pereira were left incensed by the ruling, with it seeming inevitable the goal would be struck off before Salisbury’s on-field declaration to the ground.

Even United icon Gary Neville, providing commentary for Sky Sports, was bewildered by the verdict. He remarked: “There is a clear handball… I would be surprised if this stands. The Forest players were going mad and l would be furious if that stood.

“Honestly, l just don’t think that’s a goal. It is a clear handball. They have to intervene here. That is a shocker in every way! Honestly, that is ridiculous. The VAR has been clear: the player has handballed it.

“He looked it for three minutes and the referee has looked at it for another minute. I can’t believe what I have just seen. That was handball. I don’t know what to say.

The former England right-back added: “We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions but that was not the time to do it.”

“There will be nobody watching that games who plays football or who watches football who will think that goal should have been awarded. It feels obvious to disallow. He almost wedged the ball under his arm.”

Luke Shaw had fired United into a 1-0 lead in their final home fixture of the Premier League campaign after just five minutes. But Morato levelled matters for Forest on 52 minutes, before Cunha’s strike was controversially allowed to stand two minutes later.

United surged 3-1 ahead with 15 minutes left when Mbeumo converted skipper Bruno Fernandes’ delivery. It meant the Portuguese maestro reached a joint-record 20 Premier League assists this campaign, equalling Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

Morgan Gibbs-White revived hopes for the visitors just three minutes afterwards, though, when he produced an exquisite finish from Elliot Anderson’s centre to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

But United held on to record another victory under Michael Carrick, who is set to be announced as the club’s permanent head coach.