Gary Neville criticises controversial goal decision in Manchester United match
Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville has slammed referee Michael Salisbury’s decision to allow the Red Devils’ controversial second goal against Nottingham Forest. The Sky Sports pundit was left bewildered after Salisbury let Matheus Cunha’s strike stand despite Bryan Mbeumo appearing to control the ball with his arm during the build-up at Old Trafford, reports BritPanorama.
Cunha’s goal arrived in the 54th minute, putting high-flying United 2-1 ahead shortly after Forest had drawn level. The striker’s celebration was notably subdued, seemingly aware that the strike might be ruled out. Replays showed the ball made contact with Mbeumo’s arm, somewhere between his hip and elbow, as a cross came in from the right. He then turned and shot, with the ball deflecting off Forest defenders before Cunha finished coolly into the bottom corner.
VAR officials spent three minutes examining the footage before directing Salisbury to the pitchside monitor, where he reviewed the incident multiple times. He delivered his verdict over the stadium microphone, saying: “After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental.”
Neville expressed his disbelief, stating: “It’s ridiculous. 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. We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions. That wasn’t the time to do it.” Fellow pundits Roy Keane and Micah Richards were equally critical when analysing the incident after the final whistle, with Richards asserting, “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.” Meanwhile, Keane confessed he was “scratching his head” at Salisbury’s ruling.
Forest manager Vitor Pereira was visibly animated in his technical area during the VAR review, repeatedly pointing at his arm in disbelief. Despite the controversy, United secured a 3-2 victory in what proved to be an entertaining encounter at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw, Cunha and Mbeumo were all on target for the home side as they clinched three points with one match remaining in the Premier League season. The afternoon also saw Bruno Fernandes etch his name into the record books by registering his 20th assist of the campaign, drawing level with ex-Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and former Arsenal ace Thierry Henry for the most in a single Premier League season. Fernandes will have one final opportunity to break the record outright when the season concludes next Sunday.
In moments like these, the fine line between clarity and controversy in football becomes strikingly visible, underlining how a single decision can sway both momentum and perception on the grand stage of English football.
