Controversial Man United VAR call branded ‘absolute shocker’ by Gary Neville as Premier League release clarification

Gary Neville could not believe that Manchester United’s second goal against Nottingham Forest was allowed to stand.

The Red Devils took a 2-1 lead at Old Trafford as Bryan Mbeumo‘s shot was blocked and fell for Matheus Cunha, who slotted home.

But in the build-up to the goal, Mbeumo used his arm to trap the ball and turn to get the shot off.

The goal was given on field before VAR intervened and asked Michael Salisbury to go and have a look.

But he stuck with his original decision, leaving Vitor Pereira and the Forest players furious.

And on Sky Sports, Man United legend Gary Neville also didn’t understand it.

He said: “I think that is an absolute shocker in every single way. Honestly, that is ridiculous. The VAR has been clear: the player has handballed it.

“He looked it for three minutes and the referee has looked at it for another minute. I can’t believe what I have just seen.

“That was handball. I don’t know what to say.”

The Premier League have since clarified the reason why the goal stood.

In a statement on the PL Match Centre, they said: “After VAR review, the referee stuck with the original decision to award a goal to Manchester United.

“Referee announcement: “After review, the decision of goal stands because the handball offence is accidental, therefore the final decision is goal.”

But it is a decision that hasn’t gone down well on social media, with Alan Shearer furious.

He tweeted: Wow. “That’s disgraceful. Shocking shocking shocking. That’s a CLEAR hand ball.”

Man United went on to win 3-2, and Bruno Fernandes has equalled the all-time assists in a season record.

Story of the game

With Michael Carrick set to be named the permanent Man United manager, the home side flew out of the blocks.

They scored within five minutes through a very rare source of goals, in Luke Shaw.

The left-back scored just his fourth Premier League goal.

That remained the score until half time, and things exploded into life.

Elliot Anderson then delivered a stunning ball into the box that Morato powered home.

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Parity didn’t last long as just moments later, the controversial goal happened.

With Salisbury indicating that he felt the handball was accidental and didn’t lead directly to a goal, so he stuck with his original decision.

Man United made it 3-1 soon after as Fernandes found space down the right and drilled a low cross into the box.

That was tapped in by Mbeumo, and the whole team celebrated with their captain, who is now level on 20 assists for the season with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

He now has one more match in which to try and break it.

Forest set up a nervy finish as Anderson found Morgan Gibbs-White in the box, and he tucked home for his 14th Premier League goal of the season, which will do his England World Cup chances no harm at all.

The game descended into a basketball match from there, with both sides having numerous chances, but the Red Devils clung on as Casemiro also said goodbye to Old Trafford.