Referee Stands by Goal Decision After VAR Review in Manchester United Match

Referee Michael Salisbury reviewed video footage for three minutes before confirming a goal for Manchester United against Nottingham Forest. The decision came after VAR officials directed him to the pitchside monitor. Salisbury announced over the stadium microphone that the goal would stand because the handball offence was accidental.

The incident occurred in the 54th minute when Matheus Cunha scored to put United 2-1 ahead.

Replays showed the ball made contact with Bryan Mbeumo's arm between his hip and elbow during a cross from the right. Mbeumo then turned and shot, with the ball deflecting off Nottingham Forest defenders before Cunha finished into the bottom corner. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said the VAR had been clear that the goal should be disallowed. He added that he could not believe the decision.

Fellow pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards also criticized the ruling. Richards stated it was handball and as clear as day. Keane said he was scratching his head at the decision and that former professional footballers would have expected the goal to be disallowed.

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira was visibly animated in his technical area during the review, repeatedly pointing at his arm.

United secured a 3-2 victory.

Luke Shaw, Cunha and Mbeumo scored for the home side. Bruno Fernandes recorded his 20th assist of the Premier League season, matching the record held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry. Fernandes has one match left to break the record outright.