Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira questioned the consistency of football’s handball laws after Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 victory at Old Trafford was overshadowed by a major VAR controversy.
Forest were left frustrated after Matheus Cunha’s goal stood despite replays appearing to show Bryan Mbeumo handling the ball moments before the Brazilian found the net.
The incident immediately created confusion inside the stadium, with celebrations initially muted while players and supporters waited for a VAR review.
After a lengthy check, referee Michael Salisbury was sent to the pitchside monitor but ultimately decided to allow the goal to stand, ruling the contact accidental.
That decision sparked anger from the Forest bench.
Vitor Pereira calls for answers on handball decisions
Speaking after the match, Pereira made it clear his frustration extended beyond a single incident and focused on wider confusion surrounding interpretation of the law.
“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.”
The Forest manager also admitted he feels increasing uncertainty around how handball decisions are being judged.
“We need to have a meeting together to understand when it’s handball.”
“At the moment we don’t know what is possible or not and a lot of the time we don’t understand the decisions.”
Gary Neville also strongly criticised VAR decision
Pereira was not alone in questioning the outcome.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville reacted strongly during commentary, describing the decision as one of the clearest errors he had seen.
“I think that is an absolute shocker in every single way. It’s ridiculous.”
Neville also criticised the lengthy review process and suggested officials complicated what should have been a relatively straightforward judgement.
“They are overthinking it. They have got themselves into a real mess there.”
Having followed Premier League officiating debates closely throughout the season, discussions around handball interpretation have repeatedly resurfaced.
The difficulty often lies in balancing intent, accidental contact and whether possession is gained unfairly through arm movement.
| Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest | Result |
|---|---|
| Final score | Manchester United 3-2 Forest |
| United goals | Shaw, Cunha, Mbeumo |
| Forest goals | Morato, Gibbs-White |
| Controversial incident | Cunha goal review |
source: match data – 16 May 2026
Manchester United survive tense finish
Beyond the controversy itself, the result represented another important victory for Michael Carrick’s side.
Luke Shaw gave United an early advantage before Morato equalised for Forest. Cunha’s disputed strike restored the lead before Mbeumo extended the advantage.
Morgan Gibbs-White then set up a nervous finish with Forest’s second goal, but United ultimately held on.
From the final weeks of United’s season, Carrick’s side have increasingly shown resilience during difficult moments, though this result will inevitably be remembered as much for the officiating discussion as the football itself.
However, it remains likely the handball debate will continue long after the final whistle.
Key Points
- Nottingham Forest lost 3-2 to Manchester United
- Vitor Pereira criticised the handball decision
- Matheus Cunha's goal survived a VAR review
- Gary Neville called the decision “an absolute shocker”
- Pereira wants greater clarity around handball interpretations
What’s next
Manchester United continue pushing toward the end of the season with Champions League ambitions still central to their objectives.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, may seek further explanation over the decision as wider debates around VAR consistency continue across the Premier League.
Was Nottingham Forest unfairly denied or did officials apply the handball law correctly?
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