Manchester United’s goal from Matheus Cunha in the 3-2 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed for handball, according to refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMO).
PGMO contacted Forest on Monday to admit an error by referee Michael Salisbury, who overruled the VAR decision after he was sent to the pitch monitor after the ball hit Bryan Mbeumo’s arm.
VAR felt Mbeumo controlled the ball between his arm and body before his shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Cunha’s feet. Salisbury ruled that the contact was coincidental and upheld his original decision.
Cunha’s goal made United 2-1.
A frustrated forest manager, Vitor Pereira, said at a press conference that the rules should be clearer.
“For me it was handball, very clearly,” said Pereira. «It’s sad not to cancel the goal. For me it was the decision that decided the game.»
«I have to accept the referee’s decision, but that is not my opinion. In my opinion he controlled the ball with his hand and the goal came out of control. Otherwise they would not have had the chance to shoot and score.»
Pereira also expressed his frustration at struggling in the box. Arsenal’s 1–0 win over West Ham United on 10 May was overshadowed by controversy over whether Callum Wilson’s potential equalizer in the 96th minute should have been ruled out.
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«These are the doubts we have at the moment in the Premier League about the final decision. In the handball we don’t know whether it is a handball or not,» Pereira said.
«Because of the blocks in the penalty area, we don’t know when it is a foul on free kicks. I think it is important to talk to everyone and try to understand the rules and decisions, because all managers at the moment have doubts about some decisions.»
A 2021 rule change states that an accidental handball that leads to a goal or a teammate’s scoring opportunity is not considered a foul.
It was the fourth time this season that an on-field referee rejected a VAR advice after viewing images.
Sunday’s result had no significant impact on the rankings. United finished third but had already secured a place in the Champions League next season, while Forest were safe from relegation.
Published on May 19, 2026
