Gary Neville was left perplexed by referee Michael Salisbury’s decision not to disallow Man United’s second goal against Nottingham Forest after VAR had recommended him to overturn the on-field call.
Matheus Cunha made it 2-1 to United in the 54th minute just moments after Forest had equalised at Old Trafford, but delivered a muted celebration with his Man United team-mates after realising his goal could well be chalked off for a handball in the build-up.
Noticing that Bryan Mbeumo had appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area prior to Cunha’s fine finish, VAR intervened to check Salisbury’s on-field decision of goal and eventually sent the referee to the pitch side monitor.
To the utter bemusement of Neville and his co-commentator Peter Drury, who both claim to have heard VAR recommend the decision be overturned, Salisbury decided to stand by his on-field verdict.
The former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit said on commentary duty: ‘I think that is an absolute shocker in every single way. 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.
Bryan Mbeumo appeared to handle the ball just moments before Matheus Cunha’s strike
Michael Salisbury stood by his initial decision of goal despite VAR recommending to overturn it
Gary Neville branded the decision from Salisbury an ‘absolute shocker’ in utter disbelief
‘VAR looked at it for three minutes and then the referee looks at it for another minute. They are overthinking it. They have got themselves into a real mess there.’
Salisbury, who reviewed the incident multiple times at the pitchside monitor before making his final decision, explained why he had come to his conclusion over his microphone.
‘After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental, therefore the final decision is goal,’ he told the Old Trafford crowd.
As the ball was whipped into Forest’s penalty box from the right-hand side, Mbeumo appeared to cushion the ball between his hip and elbow before swivelling to fashion an effort on goal.
His strike ricocheted off Forest’s defenders before falling into the path of Cunha who coolly slotted the ball first-time into the bottom corner.
Despite going ahead, United fans celebrated with caution as the goal surely looked to be ruled out by VAR, with Mbeumo gaining a noticeable advantage from the ball striking his arm.
As VAR checked the incident, Forest boss Vitor Pereira could be seen frustratedly gesturing towards his arm in the dugout, clearly bemused at the goal being awarded in the first place.
After the goal was given by Salisbury, Neville added: ‘We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions. That wasn’t the time to do it.’
