Ex-ref chief: VAR ‘correct’ to intervene in Man United vs Nottingham Forest controversy

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(Credit: Imago) Sun 17 May 2026 15:30, UK VAR was “correct” in its initial assessment that Matheus Cunha’s goal shouldn’t have been allowed to stand as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Sunday. That is the view of ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that Bryan Mbeumo “effectively controlled the ball” with his arm in the build-up to the goal.Luke Shaw’s early strike saw United hit the front in the opening stages, before Morato and Cunha exchanged goals shortly after half-time, with the latter awarded after a lengthy VAR review.

Forest were seething with Salisbury after he gave Cunha’s goal in controversial circumstances, and the official has now been criticised further for the call that he made. ⚽ Nottingham Forest Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert previews and tactical analysis for every Nottingham Forest fixture. VISIT THE FOREST MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett calls for handball law to be changedMbeumo’s involvement in Cunha’s strike was the moment in question, as the Cameroon international appeared to control a cross with the aid of his arm.

VAR sent Salisbury to the monitor after suggesting that the goal should be ruled out, but the man in the middle chose to stand by his original decision, as he deemed the use of the arm by Mbeumo to be accidental. Referee announcement: “After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental, therefore the final decision is goal.”— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) May 17, 2026 View Tweet The Premier League have now issued a statement via their Match Centre account on X, which has reiterated the fact that the goal was allowed to stand because the handling offence was deemed to be accidental.Forest will unsurprisingly be left feeling aggrieved at the outcome of that VAR review because, as Hackett suggested, the law allows for plenty of subjectivity.